Old Mutsu 33 Kannon Pilgrimage

 

     The Old Mutsu 33 Kannon Pilgrimage was said to have been organized in 811.

     In the prehistoric days of Japan, the country was unified by organizing Kuni-no-miyatsuko in remote areas.  They were local powerful families.  The Pacific side of the Tohoku Region had 10 Kuni-no-miyatsuko: Kikuta Kuni-no-miyatsuko, Iwaki Kuni-no-miyatsuko, Someha Kuni-no-miyatsuko, Ukita Kuni-no-miyatsuko, Watari Kuni-no-miyatsuko, Shirakawa Kuni-no-miyatsuko, Iwase Kuni-no-miyatsuko, Asaka Kuni-no-miyatsuko, Shinobu Kuni-no-miyatsuko, and Iku Kuni-no-miyatsuko.  At the beginning, the northern limit of the Kuni-no-miyatsuko system was in today's Fukushima Prefecture.

     Emperor Karu (596-654) introduced the County system, but it wasn't a substantive reform.  After the enforcement of the Ritsuryo Code in 701, Michinoku Province was organized in today's Miyagi and Fukushima Prefectures.  In other words, the northern limit moved north.

     The method to organize local people was, however, different in the area of today's Miyagi Prefecture.  The Mutsu Provincial Government imposed military rule in its new territories, today's Miyagi Prefecture and the southern part of Iwate Prefecture, through 15 fortresses.  Taga Fortress was built in 724.  Tamatsukuri Fortress, Nitsuta Fortress, Oshika Fortress, and Shikama Fortress were built in 737.  Monou Fortress was built in 759.  Iji Fortress was built in 767.  Isawa Fortress was built in 802.  Shiwa Fortress was built in 803.  Nakayama Fortress was built in 804.  Tokutan Fortress was built in 812.

     People living in the Tohoku Region in those days were composed of soldiers and farmer-soldiers of the Imperial Army, who belonged to the Yayoi Culture, those who belonged to the Jomon Culture, and those who belonged to the Satsumon Culture.  Whether they shared the same ethnicity or not is still controversial.

     The Old Mutsu 33 Kannon Pilgrimage was organized in those days not only in the area ruled by the Imperial Army but also in the territories of northern foreigners.  I hope I can see what network the member temples shared.

Site of Tagajo Castle

Address: Ichikawa, Tagajo City, Miyagi 985-0864

Phone: 022-368-1141

Nitsuta Fortress Ruins

Address: Nissoku-3-4 Tajiriomine, Ōsaki, Miyagi 989-4412

Monou Fortress Ruins

Address: Nakayama-60-1 Iino, Ishinomaki, Miyagi 986-0131

Iji Fortress Ruins

Address: Jonominegishi Tsukidate, Kurihara, Miyagi 987-2202

Phone: 0228-42-3515

Shiwa Fortress Ruins

Address: Hohatcho-47-11 Kamikazuma, Morioka, Iwate 020-0051

Phone: 019-658-1710

Shikama Fortress Ruins

Address: Soneta Ichinoseki, Shikama, Kami District, Miyagi 981-4121

Nakayama Fortress Ruins

Address: Kurakakeyama Hanaizumicho Nagai, Ichinoseki, Iwate 029-3206

Tokutan Castle

Address: Dai 6 Chiwari Nishitokuta, Yahaba, Shiwa District, Iwate 028-3603