Virtual Kameda Domain 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #1 Seiryu-ji Temple

 Virtual Kameda Domain 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #1 Seiryu-ji Temple

     There used to be Kumano Shrine in Akata, Yurihonjo, Akita 015-0023, as the oldest Shinto shrine in Akata.

     The shrine might have had a shrine temple, Kumano-san Seiryu-ji Temple, which might have been abolished after the Meiji Restoration Government issued the Gods and Buddhas Separation Order in 1868.  In 1900, the Shrine Bureau, which implemented Shrine Consolidation Policy, was created as a branch of the Home Ministry.  Kumano Shrine was merged to Shinmei Shrine sometime between 1910 and 1918.

     Shinmei Shrine is the only major shrine in Akata.  The shrine was founded in Utetsu Village in 1398.  The shrine was first documented at the turn of the 15th century, when the Akotsu Family ruled the village.  Akata Village became an independent village presumably in the 17th century.  It was first documented in 1704.

     Kumano Shrine became independent again as Futamata Shrine in 1945 after World War II ended.  It has a stone monument which says Number 11 Kumanosan.  Why #11?  Was Kumano Shrine the 11th of the Akata 33 Kannon Pilgrimage?  Solving one mystery leads to another.

     Anyway, Seiryu-ji Temple could have been located somewhere around Juniyanagi-96 Akata, Yurihonjo, Akita 015-0023.

     The Akata 33 Kannon Pilgrimage was also organized by Zezan and Jihei.  The pilgrimage is carried out annually on September 1st and 2nd.  The pilgrimage route extends for 30 kilometers.  The pilgrimage was surely carried out in 2010 and was probably carried out in 2021.

Futamata Shrine

Address: Juniyanagi-96 Akata, Yurihonjo, Akita 015-0023

Shinmei-sha Shrine

Address: Hasuike-124 Akata, Yurihonjo, Akita 015-0023

Phone: 0184-22-1972