Virtual Kameda Domain 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #27 Shurin-ji Temple

 

     Shurin-ji Temple was founded along Ayu River sometime between 1390 and 1394.  As it was the family temple of the Hagawa Family, the family became samurai and ruled the river valley in those days.

     Ayu River is a small river and runs from east to west through hills between Omono River and the Sea of Japan.

     Satomi Yoshinari (1157-1234) had 5 sons.  His 5th son, Yoshinao, became the samurai steward of Enkyo-ji Temple in Mino Province.  The Kanno Disturbance lasted from October 26th, 1350, to February 26th, 1352.  In the disturbance, Ashikaga Takauji (1305-1358), the 1st Shogun of the Muromachi Shogunate, and his younger brother, Naoyoshi (1307-1352), fought against each other, and Naoyoshi lost.  A Yoshinari's descendant, Yoshimune, fought for Naoyoshi, and his family was ruined.  Some of the family drifted to the Ayu River Valley, called themselves Hanekawa, and built Hanekawa Fortress.  As the remnants of the Satomi Family had arrived at Nariyu Manor (around today's Nariu, Tendo, Yamagata 994-0006), Dewa Province, those along Ayu River might have come there by way of the manor after a generation or two. 

     As the valley was too small to support a warlord, the family was no more than bandits in the Warring States Period.  The last head of the family, Yoshitane, was known as a bandit lord.  He and his men robbed Akita, Yashima, Tozawa, and Senboku.  The fortress was finally seized by Akotsu Kuro in 1588.  He changed his family name to Hanekawa.

     Hanekawa Village was first documented in 1612.  The land survey in the year increased the basis of taxation assessment by nearly 10 percent, and a peasant revolt against the increase broke out in Hanekawa Village.

Address: Teranoshita-22, Shimohamahanekawa, Akita 010-1503 Akita

Phone: 018-879-2031

Hanekawa Fortress

Address: Furudate Shimohamahanekawa, Akita, 010-1503

Enkyo-ji Temple

Address: 1214 Oga, Yamagata, Gifu 501-2101

Phone: 0581-27-3051