Virtual Old Tsugaru 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #1 Taigu-ji Temple

 

     A shrine was founded in today's Kodomari, Nakadomari, Kitatsugaru District, Aomori, in 31 B.C by local northern foreigners.  

     Abe Hirafu, the governor of Koshi Province, commanded 180 ships, arrived at the shrine, and invited Gods Ketsumiko, Hayatama, and Musumi from Kumano to the shrine in 658, and Mononobe Yasumaro built its shrine building.  They attacked Mishihase in the same year.  After the attack, he offered the central government 2 alive bears and 70 bear hides.  In 659, he attacked Mishihase and offered the central government 49 captives.  In 660, the central government finally dispatched Abe Hirafu so that he should command 200 ships and attack Mishihase.  He ordered Emishi people in Mutsu Province to board the ships, and got to the southern riverbank of a large river.  At that time, 1,000 Emishi people in Watari-jima were encamped on the other riverbank.  2 of them proceeded and shouted out, “Many of Mishihase’s ships and soldiers are coming.  They are going to kill us.  We’d like to cross the river and work for you.”  Abe sent a ship and asked the two where the enemy was hiding their ships and how many ships they had.  The two pointed at a place and said, “More than 20 ships.”  Abe sent a messenger to the enemy, but they denied coming.  They also refused Abe’s appeasement policies, and held the fortress in Herobe Island.  They were defeated by Abe, and killed their own wives and children on the island.  Abe offered the central government 50 captives.

     Prince Hirakasu moved the shrine to its present place in 788, supported by Emperor Kanmu (737-806).  In 801, the shrine was named Takaoka.  In 804, it was renamed Kumano-Takaoka. 

     Later, Takaoka Shrine was equaled to Kumano Hongu Taisha, and Kumano-gu Shrine in Akanecho, which used to be called Tai-gu Shrine, was equaled to Kumano-Nachi Taisha, and that in Monge Village to Kumano Hayatama Taisha.

     For your information, Kadoke Village was first documented on July 7th, 1341, when the village was given to him.  The Soga Family was from Soga Manor, Ashigara County, Sagami Province.  Morosuke became subject to Ashikaga Takauji (1305-1358), the 1st Shogun of the Muromachi Shogunate(1336-1573), introduced by Ko Moronao (?-1351).

     It is unknown when Taigu-ji Temple was founded as a shrine temple of Kumano-gu Shrine in Akanecho.

     After the Meiji Restoration Government issued the Gods and Buddhas Separation Order in 1868, Taigu-ji Temple was abolished, with its temple name transferred to Muryo-in Kannon-do Hall, which enshrined Eleven-Faced Ekadasamukha, in Hoon-ji Temple.

Address: 26 Shinteramachi, Hirosaki, Aomori 036-8214

Phone: 0172-33-1382

Kumano-Okuteru Shrine

Address: 4 Chome−1−1 Tamachi, Hirosaki, Aomori 036-8054

Phone: 0172-32-7663

Kumano-gu Shrine

Address: 1 Chome−8-1 Akanecho, Hirosaki, Aomori 036-8279

Kadoke-Kumano-gu Shrine

Address: 2 Chome−12 Kadoke, Hirosaki, Aomori 036-8111

Kumano Hongu Taisha

Address: 1110 Hongucho Hongu, Tanabe, Wakayama 647-1731

Phone: 0735-42-0009

Kumano Hayatama Taisha

Address: 1 Shingu, Wakayama 647-0081

Phone: 0735-22-2533

Kumano-Nachi Taisha

Address: 1 Nachisan, Nachikatsuura, Higashimuro District, Wakayama 649-5301

Phone: 0735-55-0321

Hoon-ji Temple

Address: 34 Shinteramachi, Hirosaki, Aomori 036-8214

Phone: 0172-33-1382