Virtual Yashima Domain 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #15 Mitake Shrine

 

     An image of Arya Avalokitesvara, who is the human-figure prototype of the other 6 metamorphoses, used to be enshrined by Kakuemon in Uenodai-268 Higashiyurishuku, Yurihonjo, Akita 015-0241, when the Yashima 33 Kannon Pilgrimage was organized.  The image was moved to Mitake Shrine, or the Kannon-do hall which enshrined the Arya Avalokitesvara image was changed into Mitake Shrine after the Meiji Restoration Government issued the Gods and Buddhas Separation Order in 1868.

     Mitake Shrine in Higashiyurishuku seems to be a branch of Mitake Shrine in Yuzawa, which was said to have been founded in 1135 by Fujiwara Kiyohira (1056-1128).  As the dates don't match, presumably Kiyohira's child might have founded the shrine for Kiyohira, who had 3 daughters and 6 sons.  The south-western foot of the mountain has a hot spring.  That could have been the reason the mountain was considered to be holy.

     It is unknown why Kakuemon's offspring chose Mitake Shrine instead of inviting one of the central goddesses and/or gods.  They could have had faith in localism.

Address: Uenodai-268-14 Higashiyurishuku, Yurihonjo, Akita 015-0241

Mitake Shrine

Address: Mitakeyama−6, Yuzawa, Akita 012-0804

Phone: 0183-73-1873

Yuzawa Hotspring

Address: 2 Chome-4-64 Yunohara, Yuzawa, Akita 012-0823

Phone: 0183-73-0135