National Astronomical Observatory of Japan Mizusawa VLBI Observatory

Kawanishi Daenenbutsu Kembu

This is a Nenbutsu dance that has been passed down in the Kawanishi area of ​​Kinugawa, Oshu City for about 900 years. When Kiyohira, the first generation of the Oshu Fujiwara clan, who built Chuson-ji, a world heritage site, prayed to bring the souls of those who died in the battles of 1995 and 3000 to Buddhahood, a monkey (an incarnation of Buddha) appeared and prayed to him. It is said that he danced and guided the souls of the deceased to the Pure Land. Before dancing, it is customary to recite the Nembutsu in memory of the ancestors, and then, to the sound of drums and flutes, the dancers wear horse tails and torizai (horse tails) on their heads. They dance in a dignified and heroic manner, wearing chicken tail feathers and holding a fan, aya bamboo (kongou-zue), and a sword in their hands. Every year, it is dedicated at Chuson-ji Temple on May 3rd and November 3rd during the Fujiwara Festival, and on August 24th at Osegakie. As one of the "furyu dances", "Kenkenbu", which includes Kawanishi Daenenbutsu Kenbu, has been registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. (2022.11.30) → [ Oshu City Homepage ]

Utori Shrine

It is enshrined as the god of big catches, maritime safety, and marriage. The annual festival is held on April 8th of the lunar calendar, and many people from the fishing industry along the Sanriku coast visit the main shrine at the top of Mt. Ukotoriyama. In front of Harukahaiden, the ancient Utori Kagura is performed. The matchmaking custom of tying together the branches of the pine trees in the shrine grounds with the left hand for men and the right hand for women has been passed down, and the fortune-telling fortune telling fortunes, which are rare in Japan, are attracting attention as well. It is also the original home of Ukotori Shrine in Tono City, which is famous as a power spot for fulfilling love. There are also legends related to the legend of Yoshitsune's journey north.

Oshu City Traditional Industry Hall Nanbu Ironware Museum

A large number of materials related to Oshu Mizusawa's representative local industry ``Nanbu Ironware'' are on display. Inside the museum, there are exhibits of excellent castings from ancient times and modern times, a corner that faithfully reproduces a factory from the early Meiji period, and a large screen that introduces the current casting production process, as well as a variety of products for sale, such as iron kettles and wind chimes. I am. Additionally, on April 6, 2017, a handshake statue of Shohei Otani, a player from Mizusawa Ward, Oshu City, was installed. This handshake statue was made using Nanbu ironware techniques.