Virtual Honjo Domain 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #4 Keisho-ji Temple

     The Yuri Family established 4 fortresses under the direct control of the family and 12 local administrators to govern the county.  The 4 fortresses were located in Shiokoshi (Kisakatamachi, Nikaho, Akita?), Hirasawa (Hirasawa, Nikaho, Akita 018-0402), Ono (Ono Matsugasaki, Yurihonjo, Akita 015-0032), and Hanekawa (Shimohamahanekawa, Akita, 010-1503).  The 8 local administrators were located in Seki, Toshidai (Toshi, Nikaho, Akita 018-0422), Tashiro (Tashiro Chokaimachi Kamikawauchi, Yurihonjo, Akita 015-0504), Karuizawa (Karuizawa Habiro, Yurihonjo, Akita 018-0906), Aranami, Kurose (Uchikurose, Yurihonjo, Akita 015-0022?), Katsurane, and Tahara.

     When Yoritomo destroyed the Northern Fujiwara Clan, the head of the Yuri Family was Korehira (?-1190).  According to Azumakagami, which was a chronology compiled after 1266 under the directive of the Regent of the Kamakura Shogunate, he fought with Tagawa Yukibumi (?-1189) and Akita Munebumi (?-1189) against Yoritomo, but was caught alive by Usami Sanemasa (?-1190) on September 7th, 1189.  Even though he was a prisoner, he reprimanded Kajiwara Kagetoki (?-1200) for his rudeness, saying, "It is the common thing for a brave samurai to run out of luck and become a prisoner."  He accepted questioning after Hatakeyama Shigetada (1164-1205) showed his respect.  Yoritomo saw this and forgave him on the 13th "because of the honor of his bravery." 

     When Okawa Kaneto (?-1190), who was based along the eastern shore of Hachiro-gata Lagoon, and who was a remnant of the Northern Fujiwara Clan, rebelled against the Kamakura Shogunate in the Tohoku Region from December, 1189, to March of the following year, Korehira started in advance with Kudo Mitsuyuki and Miyaji Kunihira on December 24th.  He was killed in battle on January 6th, 1190, in Momosada Village, Kawabe County, Dewa Province.

     When Wada Yoshimori (1147-1213) rebelled against Hojo Yoshitoki (1163-1224) and was defeated, Korehira's son, Korehisa, was dismissed for being involved in the rebellion.

     When Korehisa's descendants, Masashige (?-1300) and his son, Masaharu(?-1324), arrived at Yuri County in 1291, Yamane Fortress, where Korehisa used to live, the Chokai Family was already based nearby in Kuriyama Tate, Yurihonjo, Akita 015-0086.  The Yuri Family had no choice but to be based around Nekkonosawa Nishimemachi Nishime, Yurihonjo, Akita 018-0603.  In 1298, they built Nishime-date Fortress, which was later called Hama-date Fortress.

     After Masashige's death in 1300, Masaharu succeeded the head of the family.  His wife became a nun with her Buddhist name Keisho.  She died in 1310.  Masaharu advanced to the middle reach of Koyoshi River and founded Keisho-ji Temple in Kuriyama Kawanishi, Yurihonjo, Akita 015-0331.

     Masaharu was attacked by the Chokai Family in 1312, and he retreated to Shimonaruse Minamifukuda, Yurihonjo, Akita 015-0364.  Masaharu fought back to Kuriyama in 1315, but was attacked by the Chokai Family in 1324.  He committed suicide in Kuriyama, with his 2 sons entrusted with his chief retainer, Murakami Tatewaki.

     Masashige's younger brother, or Masaharu's uncle, Gyobu, returned to Kamakura.

     Later, the Takizawa Family in Yuri County claimed to be offspring of the Yuri Family.  It is unknown whether they were the offspring of the surviving children of Masaharu or the offspring of Gyobu.

     In 1343, Yuri Hyogonosuke fought for the Southern Court, and, in 1430, Yuri Masahisa ruled Takizawa Village and called his family Takizawa.

     Takizawa Masamichi (?-1609) built Takizawa Castle.  Keisho-ji Temple was moved to its present place in the castle town in 1608.

     In 1622, the Takizawa Family was removed from Takizawa, but Keisho-ji Temple remained where it is.

Address: Teranoshita-27 Maego, Yurihonjo, Akita 015-0341

Phone: 0184-53-2024

Yamane Fortress Site

Address: Minamino Oguni, Nikaho, Akita 018-0412

Hamadate Park (The Site of Nishime-date Fortress)

Address: Hamayama Nishimemachi Deto, Yurihonjo, Akita 018-0602

phone: 0184-24-6376

Takizawa Fortress Site

Address: Takizawatate-79-3 Maego, Yurihonjo, Akita 015-0341