Goto Juanen

Honokizawa Nenbutsu Kembu

It is said to be the successor to the Takadate mokke, which was created to commemorate the soul of Minamoto no Yoshitsune, the master and servant who died a tragic end in Hiraizumi, Oshu. The ghosts of Minamoto no Yoshitsune's master and servants appeared every night, and Yasuhiro, who was at a loss, asked him to pray for the ghosts to disappear, but then a monkey, an incarnation of the Buddha, appeared and mingled with the raging ghosts, dancing while chanting Nembutsu, and the ghosts disappeared. This dance is based on the idea that people's hearts were softened and they attained Buddhahood. It is dedicated at the annual festival held on September 16th at the Isedo Hall in Isawakoyama, Oshu City, and at Chusonji Temple and Motsuji Temple during the Fujiwara Festival in Hiraizumi in spring and autumn. As one of the "furyu dances", "Oni Kenbu", which includes Honokizawa Nenbutsu Kenbu, has been registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. (2022.11.30) [ Oshu City Homepage ]

Komagata Shrine

In 1903, the shrine that was located at the top of Mt. Komagatake was moved to its current location. It is a quiet shrine surrounded by cherry blossoms and old cedar trees. Along with the cherry blossoms in Mizusawa Park, it has been designated as a natural monument by the prefecture as a group of Higan cherry blossoms. A children's cavalry parade is held as an annual spring festival.

Hidaka Shrine

It is said to have been founded in the first year of Konin (710) in the early Heian period, and rebuilt in the first year of Shocho (1428). On the grounds is the Tachiarai River Monument, where Yawata Taro Yoshiie is said to have washed the sword with which he killed Abe Sadato. The main shrine is designated as a national important cultural property. It is also known as the shrine for the Hidaka Fire Prevention Festival.