Virtual Akata 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #5 Hachiman Shrine

 

     After visiting the #4 deity, you cross the Akata River.  Along its right bank, you find the #5-9 deities.  Unnaturally, they are not located in line but you should walk to and fro to visit them in numerical order.  If you don’t want to waste your time and leg strength, you should visit them in the order of #7, #9, #8, #5, and then #6.

     Tradition says that the #5 of the Akata 33 Kannon Pilgrimage was Hachiman Shrine, which was merged to Shinmei-sha Shrine sometime between 1910 and 1918.  In Shinmei-sha Shrine's main hall, as you face its main deity, God Homdarawake is enshrined on its left.  Hondarawake is one of the names of the main deity of Hachiman Shrine.  The original location of Hachiman Shrine in Akata Village is unknown.  As the god is known for its answering to prayers for luck in war, a samurai family might have immigrated to the village and invited the god.

     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.  The village was first documented in 1704.

Shinmei-sha Shrine

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

Phone: 0184-22-1972