Virtual Yashima Domain 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #9 ?

 

     A Thousand-Armed Sahasrabhuja image used to be enshrined in Kisara Village, worshipped by Rokube, when Yashima 33 Kannon Pilgrimage was organized.

     Kisara Village was located in the north-east to Koitado Village across Koyoshi River.  The village was first documented in 1612, 28 years before the Ikoma Family moved in to the Yashima Domain.  In 1646, 6 years after the Ikoma Family moved in, the village's basis of taxation was 190 koku, but that of the year 1690 decreased to 178 koku.  The decrease could have been the fruits of the 1679 Peasant Revolt. 

     According to tradition, the image was presented to Yahata Shrine, which we can't find in in Yashimamachi Kisara, Yurihonjo, Akita 015-0413.  Kisara's only shrine is Hoshoku Shrine.

     There are 48 Ukemochi Shrines in Japan.  Ukemochi is a goddess of food and one of the oldest deities of the Shinto religion.  Inari is more popular although the development of Inari shrines began in the 9th century.  There are 2970 Inari Shrines with Inari as their main deity.  There are over 32,000 branches in the shrines with the other main deities.  Inari is basically the god of rice.

     Japanese industrial structure changed and rice cultivation became its primary industry.  Ukemochi was later confused with Inari, which is often thought to take the shape of a fox.  Its name has often been misread Hoshoku.  Life has its ups and downs.

     Ukemochi Shrine or Hoshoku Shrine in Akita was definitely brought either directly from the central part of Japan or indirectly from somewhere between the central and Ideha Province presumably before the prosperity of Inari Shrine in the 9th century. 

     Presumably, Yasaka Shrine in Kisara Village was merged into Hoshoku Shrine there.

Hoshoku Shrine

Address: Shimokisara, Yashimamachi Kisara, Yurihonjo, Akita 015-0413