Virtual Shimokita 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #6 Kuwahara Kannon-do Hall

 

     Inari Shrine was invited to Sunago Village, Nukanobu County, Mutsu Province, in 1778.  As Inari's original deity is supposed to be Eleven-Faced Ekadasamukha, its image was enshrined in the shrine.  Presumably after the Meiji Restoration, the image was moved to its present place.

     When Nanbu Masatsune attacked Kakizaki Nobusumi in 1457, Sunago-East and Sunago-West Villages were mentioned.

     It is unknown when Sunago Village was developed.  The village used to have Taka Fort.  From its site, pieces of Haji pottery have been excavated.  That means someone affiliated with the Imperial Army advanced to the area sometime between the 3rd and 12th centuries.

     As Kuwahara means Mulberry Field, the shrine and Ekadasamukha were enshrined in the mulberry fields of Sunago Village.  In 1775, the Nanbu Domain including Shimokita had poor crops, which caused famine.  Inari was worshiped as a god of fertility and agriculture.

Address: Kuwaharayama 1, Kuwaharamichi, Sunagomata, Higashidori, Shimokita District, Aomori 035-0004

Inari Shrine

Address: Kuwaharamichi-29-3 Gamanosawa, Higashidori, Shimokita District, Aomori 035-0004

Taka Fort Site

Address: Takadate Sunagomata, Higashidori, Shimokita District, Aomori 039-4222