Virtual Yashima Domain 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #5 Wakamiya-Hachiman-gu Shrine

 

     It is unknown when Wakamiya-Hachiman-gu Shrine was founded in Aratokoro Village, Yuri County, Dewa Province.  It enshrined Arya Avalokitesvara, who is the human-figure prototype of the other 6 metamorphoses.  The village wasn't mentioned in 1646 and was first documented in 1698.  The Ikoma Family moved to Yashima in 1640.  As Aratokoro means New Place, the village might have been developed after 1646.

     It is unknown when the shrine disappeared.  As Shinmachi Hachiman-sha Shrine is located nearby and its nickname is Inari-sha Shrine, Wakamiya-Hachiman-gu Shrine could have been merged with Inari Shrine and they became Shinmachi Hachiman-sha Shrine after the Meiji Restoration Government employed the Shrine Consolidation Policy in 1900.

     The Arya Avalokitesvara statue is said to be kept in the site of Wakamiya-Hachiman-gu Shrine.

The Site of Wakamiya-Hachiman-gu Shrine

Address: Aratokoro-162 Yashimamachi Motomachi, Yurihonjo, Akita 015-0417

Shinmachi Hachiman-sha Shrine

address: Aramachi-73 Yashimamachi Motomachi, Yurihonjo, Akita 015-0417

Phone: 0184553249