Virtual Akata 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #17 Jisso-in Temple

 

     There used to be Jisso-in Temple in Sodefuri Akata, Yurihonjo, Akita 015-0023.  The temple was managed by the Hatsuse Family, whose offspring still play an important part in the Akata Shagiri Festival.

     Shagiri is the musical accompaniment of traditional festivals.  Akata Shagiri is said to have been a ritual of mountain ascetics to exorcise evil spirits.  Shagiri in Akata is performed as an offering to Okuneri, the Great Amitabha Festival of Chokoku-ji Temple, and Shinmei-sha Shrine.  The festival began in 1778 with the construction of the Great Amitabha statue and the completion of its hall.  The festival is still known today as a festival of syncretism between Shinto and Buddhism.

     In the annual festival of Shinmei-sha Shrine, Amitabha comes from the temple, stays at the shrine overnight, and returns to the temple the next day.  The mikoshi procession is performed. The leader of the Shagiri holds an umbrella pole.  Musicians with yukata and a folded net hat play a taiko drum, a gong, a drum, a flute, and shamisen.  The bell stand is decorated with flowers.  The program includes Gion-bayashi, kata-ondo, ken-bayashi, and kagura.  The Shagiri is said to have been brought by Priest Zezan, who was in charge of the consecration of the Great Amitabha statue of Chokoku-ji Temple.  The festival ends with an offering of kata-ondo and kagura by the offspring of Jisso-in Temple.