Virtual Old Mutsu 33 Kannon Pigrimage #13 Kannon-ji Temple

 

     Kannon-ji Temple is said to have been founded in Esashi County, Mutsu Province, in 850.  Then, it didn't make it for the organization of the Old Mutsu 33 Kannon Pilgrimage in 811.  As Esashi County was organized in 804, an Avalokitesvara image might have been enshrined before the foundation of the temple.

     About 1.5 kilometers north-east, Yayoi ware, stone tools, carbonized walnuts, and micaceous hematite were excavated.  As the farmer-soldiers are supposed to have belonged to Yayoi culture, the artifacts might have been what the farmer-soldiers left.

     When Kannon-ji Temple was organized as the #31 member temple of the Esashi 33 Kannon Pilgrimage sometime between 1651 and 1682, its main deity was Thousand-Armed Sahasrabhuja.  It is unknown whether it was the original one or not.

Address: Kannondooki-43 Esashiku Odaki, Oshu, Iwate 023-1131

Phone: 0197-35-3237