Virtual Yashima Domain 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #31 Kanki-in Temple

 

     The pilgrimage to Mount Chokai has an obverse route and a reverse route.  The reverse route is also called the Yashima Route and was said to have 18 temples to organize and support the Mount Chokai Pilgrimage.

     In 1845, however, the number increased to 24: Ganko-ji, Gassho-ji, Tofuku-ji, Hachiman-ji, Nanko-in, Kakuo-ji, Hoki-in, Kongo-in, Jissho-in, Daikyo-in, Senju-in, Fukusho-in, Tokusho-in, Kanki-in, Gyokuho-in, Bansho-in, Myoo-in, Ichijo-in, Daifuku-in, Jogaku-in, Banpo-in, Jugakuin, Shozo-in, and Itoku-in Temples.

     It is unknown when Kanki-in Temple was founded.  It is also unknown whether it was one of the original 18 temples or it was added later.  The temple might have been abolished after the Meiji Restoration Government issued the Gods and Buddhas Separation Order in 1868.

     The temple had the image of Arya Avalokitesvara, who is the human-figure prototype of the other 6 metamorphoses, and it was moved to Komagata Shrine, which seems to have been abolished due to the depopulation of the area.  It is unknown whether Komagata Shrine was merged to Hitatare Shrine or not.  It is totally unknown where the Arya Avalokitesvara image has gone.

     According to tradition, the Masaka Family moved from Mutsu Province and developed the area which later became Hitane and Jigone Villages.  In 1185, Masaka Jiro, who was based in Tenjin'yama Fortress, attacked Yuri Korehira (?-1190) and made him retreat to Akotsu Fortress. The Yuri Family asked the Northern Fujiwara Clan for the reinforcements.  In 1187, Yuri Koreaki defeated Jiro, who was surrounded by a large force and committed suicide.

     In the 1679 Peasant Revolts, to which Sakubei joined from Tenjin Village, Kaneko Hisazaemon attacked Jinego and Hitane Villages with the 400-strong samurai force.  Outnumbering might have been the only way to suppress mountain people.

Address: Yamanoshita-3 Chokaimachi NakahitaneYurihonjo, Akita 015-0514

Tenjin'yama Fortress Site

Address: Mogurizawa Chokaimachi Kamijinego, Yurihonjo, Akita 015-0721

Akaotsu Fortress Site

Address: Takashiro-2 Iwakishimohebita, Yurihonjo, Akita 018-1223