Virtual Yashima Domain 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #24 Jugaku-in Temple

 

     Jugaku-in Temple was founded in 1690 by Priest Ryuji as one of the 18 temples in Yashima.  It had a Kannon-do hall with the Horse-Headed Hayagriva image as its main deity and prayers' hall.  It performed religious services and oversaw the stable rituals in the Hachimori Office of the Local Administrator.  According to Kimura Kikuro, a descendant of the hereditary monks of Juugaku-in Temple, the Meiji Restoration Government issued the Gods and Buddhas Separation Order in 1868, the temple belonged to the Shingon Sect and survived until 1975, with 9 successive priests from Ryuji.  Juugakuin performed a ritual called stable purification, chanting sutras and distributing talismans.  Priests visited the houses in theYashima Territory in winter and those in the Iseiji Territory of the branch of the Ikoma Family, which used to be located mainly in Iseiji, Nikaho, Akita 018-0431.  The branch's local administrator office used to be located in Minamino Iseiji, Nikaho, Akita 018-0431.  The ritual is said to have continued until the early Showa Period (1926-1989).

     Half a century has passed since the closure of Jugaku-in Temple, and its exact whereabouts is already hard to know.

Sakanoshita Kaikan (Sakanoshita Community Center)

Address: Nakayashiki-10-11 Yashimamachi Sakanoshita, Yurihonjo, Akita 015-0416

Kumano Shrine

Address: Funabagawara Yashimamachi Sakanoshita, Yurihonjo, Akita 015-0416

Hachimori Fortress Site (Yajima Fortress Site)

Address: 7-1 Yashimamachi Yashimamachi, Yurihonjo, Akita 015-0402