Virtual Hachinohe Castle Town 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #32 Josho-ji Temple

 

     Sawa, a daughter of Matsubashi Magosuke, a wealthy merchant in Hachinohe, became a concubine of Nanbu Shigenobu (1616-1702), the 3rd lord of the Morioka Domain.  She gave birth to Michinobu (1673-1716), who became the 3rd lord of the Hachinohe Domain.

     The Matsubashi Family had an Amitabha hermitage in their hometown, Araida Village.  After Sawa's death, Magossuke enshrined her Buddhist memorial tablet in the hermitage, and changed its name to Josho-in after her posthumous Buddhis name in 1692.

     In 1733, the 4th lord of Hachinohe Domain, Hironobu (1709-1741), invited Priest Ryonen to change the hermitage to a Buddhist temple, and, in 1734, the temple was named Josho-ji.

     Matsuhashi Magosuke was first documented in 1683 as he started a sake brewery.  He also built a large merchant ship and started a shipping business.  In 1728, he was allowed to carry a sword, and was also allowed to controle forestry within the domain.

     In 1768, Magosuke sold the sake brewery to Kawachiya Hachiemon, and the brewery is still known for its sake brand name Hachitsuru.

     Nanbu Masamochi, the 2nd son of Nanbu Masanaga (?-1360), ruled Niida Village and called his family Niida.  The family built Niida Fortress.  Niida Elementary School is located on the site of the fortress.  The family name was first documented in 1336.  When the Hachinohe-Nanbu Family, or the Nejo-Nanbu Family, didn't have a successor, the Niida Family provided one.  For example, the 17th head, Katsuyoshi, was succeeded by Niida Masayoshi (1543-1610), and the 21st head, Seishinni (1586-1644), was succeeded by Niida Naoyoshi (1602-1675).

     When the Hachinohe-Nanbu Family was transferred to Tono, the Niida Family followed them.  The people in the castle town of Niida Fortress were moved to the Hachinohe Castle Town and formed the Yokacho, Juhatinichicho, and Nijuhachinichicho townships.

     Niida Village was first documented sometime between 1592 and 1596.

Address: Saka-5 Niida, Hachinohe, Aomori 031-0813

Phone: 0178-25-1697

Hachinohe Brewery Hachitsuru Factory

Address: 1 Bancho, Hachinohe, Aomori 031-0031

Phone: 0178-43-0010

Niida Elementary School

Address: Tatehira-20 Niida, Hachinohe, Aomori 031-0813

Phone: 0178-25-3150