Virtual Akata 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #2 Zezan’s Religious Training Site

 

     Mount Toko, which is about 594 meters above the sea level, Mount Butsudo (467 meters), Mount Sasamori (595 meters), Mounta Kuromori (541 meters), and Mount Katagari (481 meters) were worshipped as 5 holy mountains in Akata, Yurihonjo, Akita 015-0023.

     Priest Zezan regarded the 5 mountains as the Reclining Buddha.  He enshrined Bhaisajyaguru on the top of Mount Toko, Mahavairocana on the top of Mount Sasamori, Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva on the top of Mount Butsudo, Infinite-Life Tathagata on the top of Mount Kuromori, and Cintamanicakra, who usually has 6 arms and holds chintamani (a wish-fulfilling jewel) in one of the six, on the top of Mount Katagari.  In the Edo Period, villagers used to make a pilgrimage of the 5 mountains as a kind of recreation after they planted rice every year.

     From Futamata Shrine, you walk along Akta River up about 1.2 kilometers to the gateway to Mount Toko.  From the gateway, the start of the Mount Toko trail is still 800 meters away.  It takes you about 2 hours and a half to get to the top of Mount Toko and back to the start.  In the 2nd stage, there is a torii gate.  In the 3rd stage, there is a cascade.  In the 4th stage, Bhaisajyaguru is enshrined.  Between the 4th and 5th stages, you find the ex-practice site where Priest Zezan engaged in Buddhist ascetic practices.  The site is the #2 of the Akata 33 Kannon Pilgrimage.