Daibosatsu legends

- BACK to the Daruma Museum -
. Japanese legends and tales 伝説　民話 昔話 - Introduction .
. tsue 杖と伝説 Legends about a walking staff, Wanderstab .
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Daibosatsu legends 大菩薩　伝説 Dai-Bosatsu

- - - and legends about growing walking-sticks

quote
Daibosatsu is obviously a term of Buddhist origin, and refers to a "great kami that has awakened to the Way of the Bodhisattva."
The title daibosatsu is first seen in 781, when the kami Hachiman was honored with the title Gokoku Reigen Iriki Jintsū Daibosatsu ("Great Bodhisattva of National Protection and Marvelous Spirit Power").
From that time, the title daibosatsu has been applied to numerous other kami, including Fuji Sengen Daibosatsu and Tado Daibosatsu.
source : Sato Masato, Kokugakuin, 2005

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- quote -
the Eight Great Bodhisattva (Hachi Daibosatsu or Hachi Bosatsu)
who appear in the Taizōkai Mandala and Butsugen Mandala.

Eight Great Bodhisattva (Chn. = Bādà Púsà, Jp. = Hachi Daibosatsu 八大菩薩 or Hachi Bosatsu 八菩薩).
These eight are described in various Mahāyāna texts, wherein their names and attributes differ. The Sutra on the Maṇḍalas of the Eight Great Bodhisattva 八大菩薩曼荼羅經 (Hachi Daibosatsu Mandara Kyō), which was translated by Amoghavajra 不空金剛 in the 8th century and Faxian 法賢 in the 10th century, describes the attributes of each, including their mantra 密言 (secret words), their position in the mandala, the color of their bodies, and their mudra (hand signs). Below we present two different lists. In artwork, these deities appear in the Butsugen Mandala and in the Taizōkai (Womb World) Mandala.



Eight Great Bodhisattva, Sutra of the Maṇḍalas of Eight Great Bodhisattva 八大菩薩曼荼羅經

Kannon Bosatsu 観音 (Skt. = Avalokiteśvara)
Miroku Bosatsu 弥勒 (Skt. = Maitreya)
Kokūzō Bosatsu 虚空蔵 (Skt. = Âkāśagarbha)
Fugen Bosatsu 普賢 (Skt. = Samantabhadra)
Seishi Bosatsu 勢至 (Skt. = Mahāsthāmaprāpta; in Tibet, also appears as Vajrāpani)
Monju Bosatsu 文殊 (Skt. = Mañjuśrī)
Jo Kaishō Bosatsu 除蓋障 (Skt. = Sarvanīvaraṇa Viṣkambhin)
Jizō Bosatsu 地蔵 (Skt. = Kṣitigarbha)
- source : Mark Schumacher -

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. Namu Jizo Daibosatsu 南無地蔵大菩薩 .
Namu Jigoku Daibosatsu


. Sengen Daibosatsu 浅間大菩薩 .
The cult of Mount Fuji 富士山　/ Mount Sengen.


. Nine Stars Crest ... 九曜紋 ... Kuyoo Mon - kushitsu 九執 .
6 Tuesday, Hachiman Daibosatsu
kayoosei 火曜星（かようせい、八幡大菩薩）　（六白金星）

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There are also human beings, saints, which received the title "Daibosatsu", some in their lifetime, some posthumously, for their efforts helping humanity.

Jinpen Daibosatsu, Jimpen Daibosatsu 神変大菩薩
. En-no-Gyôja 役行者 Jimpen Dai-Bosatsu, En no Gyoja .


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Daibosatsu Rei 大菩薩嶺 Mount Daibosatsu
2,057 m high



Dai-bosatsu tōge 大菩薩峠 Daibosatsu Toge "Daibosatsu Pass"
in Yamanashi
- a serial novel of the same title by Kaizan Nakazato
- a 1957 color Japanese film directed by Tomu Uchida.
- reference -


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. Legends about Hachiman Shrines 八幡宮　/ 八幡神社 .

八幡大菩薩 Hachiman Daibosatsu


In the year 720 (養老4年) foreigners invaded Japan and many people were killed.
So Hachiman Daibosatsu ordered for a ritual for their souls, called
hoojoo-e 放生会（ほうじょうえ）Hojo-E, Buddhist ritual of releasing living animals

. Hachiman Matsuri八幡祭 Hachiman Festival .

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During the time of Emperor Suzaku 朱雀天皇
and Taira no Masakado 平将門
朱雀天皇の時代のこと、天慶3年に平将門を誅罰する際、八幡大菩薩が現れて、白木御弓と藤巻狩股の矢をもち、託宣を述べたあとに矢を射ると、即時に将門は討ち取られたという。


八幡大菩薩の使者と称する｢昌伎」が将門の所に現れ，八幡大菩薩が｢朕位」を「蔭子」である平将門に授与するという託宣を告げた。

. Taira no Masakado 平将門 / 平將門 (? – 940) .

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- - - - - ABC List of the prefectures :

................................................................. Ehime 愛媛県 ....................................................................

八幡大菩薩 Hachiman Daibosatsu

夜専門の猟師が火にあたっていると猟犬が身体を水にぬらして何度も薪を消してしまう。猟師は怒って犬を殺す。すると突然髭をボウボウに生やしたおじいさんがあらわれて、火にあたり出した。猟師はお爺さんが怖くてたまらずにいたが、じいさんが眠り始めたので一生のうちに1、2度しか使えない八幡大菩薩に関係のある玉で鉄砲を打った。じいさんは谷底へころげ落ち、誰かがすがりついて泣いているのがわかった。猟師は逃げ出し、1年ほど経った後その場所へ行ってみると白骨になっていた。これが山のじいさんではないかという。


................................................................. Fukui 福島県 ....................................................................

地蔵大菩薩 Jizo Daibosatsu

大病人のあるときや紛失物のあるときに、村の女たちが集まり子どもを中におき、幣をもたせて「南無地蔵大菩薩おつきやれ」と唱えると地蔵がつく。これにいろいろと尋ねる。

鹿島町
神事の日の遊びとして、１３・４歳から二十歳くらいまでの女性が「地蔵様を憑ける」遊びをした。真ん中に蓙か筵を敷いて、任意の１人を座らせ、他の者はその周囲を内側を向いて右回りに廻りながら「南無地蔵大菩薩、ついておこれえ地蔵様」と唱える。地蔵様が憑くと様々な質問をした。質問がなくなると皆で踊った。そして丁重に地蔵様に帰ってもらった。帰らないときは、その地蔵様が祭ってある場所に本人を連れて行ってよく拝んで帰ってもらったという。


................................................................. Ishikawa 石川県 ....................................................................

. Myoori Daibosatsu 白山妙理大菩薩 Hakusan Myori Daibosatsu .
Taichō 泰澄上人　Saint Taicho Shonin and 白山権現 Hakusan Gongen



................................................................. Kagawa 香川県 ....................................................................

八幡大菩薩 Hachiman Daibosatsu

昔、権太という猟師が屋まで野宿をしていたら、山女郎の親子がいて長い髪をしていた。権太はおそろしくなり、八幡大菩薩に一生猟はしないからお助けくださいと拝んだ。すると山女郎は姿を消してしまった。



................................................................. Kochi 高知県 ....................................................................

東津野村 Higashi Tsuno mura

八幡大菩薩 Hachiman Daibosatsu

The village headman wanted to get his married daughter back and almost killed his son-in-law.
He invited him to Jagafuchi 蛇ヶ淵 "Serpent river pool", and hoped the huge serpent 大蛇 would kill him. But the son-in-law killed the serpent with a bullet dedicated to Hachiman Daibosatsu.
The serpent was really huge and it took seven days and deven nights to burn its corpse. The remains of the burns are still to be seen in the ground.

. daija, orochi 大蛇 huge serpent, great snake legends .

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八幡大菩薩 Hachiman Daibosatsu

吾北村 Gohoku son

武将の犬が動かなくなったのでその首を切ると、首が飛んで木の枝に飛びついた。木の枝は大蛇であった。大蛇は普通の銃では撃てず、八幡大菩薩の弾で撃つと死んだ。しばらくすると、大蛇の死体の場所に流れ着いた。武将が大蛇の骨を足でなでると、大蛇の骨が足にたひ、それがもとで病床についた。大蛇の祟りで武将は死んだ。


................................................................. Kyoto 京都府 ....................................................................

kamurogi, tatari 神籬，たゝり the curse

八幡大菩薩 Hachiman Daibosatsu

御香の宮は八幡大菩薩の御母后神功皇后を祀っている。太閤秀吉公が伏見城を築いた時、神籬を東の岡に移動させた。これが神の御心に適わなかったのだろうか、しばしば祟りがあったので、太閤は驚き、神威を畏れて旧地に返し奉ったという。今の宮がある所がこれである。


................................................................. Shiga 滋賀県 ....................................................................

小野一万大菩薩 Ono Ichiman Daibosatsu

kasezue 鹿杖 "walking stick of deer horn"
shika no tsue 鹿の杖

Once an old man of about 80 years came to the temple of 百済寺 Hyakusai-Ji in Omi. The old man said his name was Ono Ichiman Daibosatsu. He put his walking stick of deer horn into the ground and when the stick grew it became a muku no ki 椋の木 Aphananthe aspera

百済寺 Hyakusai-Ji / 323 Hyakusaijicho, Higashiomi, Shiga
- - - - - HP of the temple
- source : www.hyakusaiji.jp -



. Kuuya Shoonin 空也上人 Saint Kuya (903-72) .
with his walking stick of deer horn.


A legend told by Yanagita Kunio about a walking stick that would grow.
柳田国男 - 杖の成長した話
- with more legends of this kind below.

. - tsue　杖 stick, walking stick - Wanderstab - .
and Matsuo Basho

. tsue 杖と伝説 Legends about the walking staff of Kobo Daishi 弘法大師空海 .


. saba no ki 鯖の木 the mackerel tree .
Grown out of a 杖 walking staff, at Todai-Ji, Nara

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There are other legends about a growing walking stick told by Yanagida Kunio.

takezue 竹杖 walking stick of bamboo

In Hyogo, 兵庫県, Itami 伊丹町
at the temple 妙宣寺 Myosen-Ji around 1355 Priest Daikaku 大覚僧正 (1297 - 1364) of the Nichiren sect planted his walking stick into the ground.
It became bamboo, but a special sort called sakasadake 逆さ竹 "upside down bamboo", with its branches hanging down. A kind of hachiku 淡竹 bamboo.

A similar legend is also told in 新潟　Niigata at temple 西方寺 Saiho-Ji about the Nichiren priest 親鸞聖人 Saint Shinran.



sakasadake 逆竹 Sakasa-Dake, "weeping bamboo"

Saihooji 西方寺 Saiho-Ji
3 Chome-1-22 Toyano, Chuo Ward, Niigata

. take 竹 bamboo - Introduction .

. Shinran 親鸞 (173 – 1263) .

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In Okayama at the Genpin Valley
Priest Genpin stuck his walking stick in the ground and it became a sandalwood tree (byakudan 白檀).

Genpin 玄賓 げんぴん (? - 818)
The legend of Miwa temple says that this was originally a hermitage of the Buddhist priest Genpin, who did not like earthly affairs and moved to the foot of the mountain called Miwa, despite the fact that he was trusted greatly by the Emperor Kanmu and the Emperor Saga.


In Hiroshima at Seiko village 南生口村
|At the temple 松蟲寺 Matsumushi-Dera, 法然上人 Saint Honen left his walking stick and it became a
sandalwood tree (byakudan 白檀).

. Hoonen Shoonin 法然上人 Honen Shonin, Saint Honen .



................................................................. Tokushima 徳島県 ....................................................................

木沢村 Kisawa

八幡大菩薩 Hachiman Daibosatsu

ryuugon san 竜ゴンさん

大正の末期頃まで、夏の日照りが続くと祈祷を行った。高丸山の三角点の草の中で、鉦や太鼓を叩き、祈祷の文句を唱えながらぐるぐる廻る。「八幡大菩薩雨をたもれ竜ゴンさん」と謡ったらしい。


................................................................. Tokyo 東京都 ....................................................................


八幡大菩薩 Hachiman Daibosatsu

In the year 1636 when Matsudaira Naotsugu 松平新五左衛門尉直次 was in charge of the bows and arrows 弓大将, many people begun to practise the Way of the Bow. Since the protector deity of the Tokugawa clan was Hachiman Daibosatsu, this deity was also the deity of the Way of the Bow and thus many 八幡宮 Hachiman Shrines were erected with a hall to practise.
When three "mountain doves" came to sit on branches of the nearby pine tree, people knew they were doing the right thing with the right protector deity.



Hachiman Daibosatsu
in the Hachiman shrine of the mansion of the Owari Tokugawa Family in Ichigaya, Edo
尾張徳川家の江戸上屋敷、市ヶ谷邸の庭園内にあった八幡宮

- source : tokugawa-art-museum.jp -


. Tokyo and Edo Folk Art 江戸　民芸 .



................................................................. Tottori 鳥取県 ....................................................................

三朝温泉 Misasa Hot Spring

. Myoken 妙見菩薩 Myoken Bosatsu - 妙見大菩薩 Myoken Daibosatsu .



In the year 1164 a retainer of Minamoto no Yoshitomo named 大久保左馬之祐王家 Okubo Samanosuke went to Mount Mitoku san to pray for the country. On the way he met a white wolf, messenger of Myoken San 妙見山 and helped him in distress. At night Myoken Daibosatsu appeared in his dream. He told Okubo that there was a holy spot at the roots of the old camphor tree 老楠. Myoken would pass this on to Okubo if he helped to save people with it.
When Okubo looked the next day, he found the well of a hot spring . . . that was the beginning of Misasa Onsen.

. Mitoku San 三徳山三仏寺 and Misasa Onsen 三朝温泉 .

. Legends about Onsen Hot Springs　温泉と伝説 .

. ookami 狼 wolf legends - Introduction .
hakuroo, shiroi ookami 白狼 white wolf


- 4 legends about Myoken to explore -



................................................................. Yamanashi 山梨県 ....................................................................

民宿杉田屋の主人の母の実家は川久保であるが、その先祖が大菩薩の近くのカリバというところでなかねの金のお姿を拾ったが、それは将門が落としたものだという。これはたたりがあるといって元の場所へ戻したが、それから11月17日のカリバの日にはソバ団子を焼いて食べるという。


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- Reference in Japanese -

- Reference in English -

yokai database 妖怪データベース
- source : www.nichibun.ac.jp -

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. tsue 杖と伝説 Legends about a walking staff, Wanderstab .

. Japanese Legends - 伝説　民話　昔話 – ABC-List .

- Yookai 妖怪 Yokai Monsters of Japan -

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Hachimantaro Yoshiie

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. Japanese Legends - 伝説　民話　昔話 – ABC-List .
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Minamoto no Yoshiie Hachimantaro 源八幡太郎義家 / 源義家
Hachimantarō 八幡太郎 Hachiman Taro (1039 - 1106)



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Because as Emperor Ōjin was an ancestor of the Minamoto clan, Hachiman became the tutelary kami (氏神 ujigami) of the Minamoto samurai clan. Minamoto no Yoshiie, upon coming of age at Iwashimizu Shrine in Kyoto, took the name Hachiman Taro Yoshiie and through his military prowess and virtue as a leader, became regarded and respected as the ideal samurai through the ages.

Hachimantarō, was a Minamoto clan samurai of the late Heian period, and Chinjufu shogun (Commander-in-chief of the defense of the North). The first son of Minamoto no Yoriyoshi, he proved himself in battle with the Abe clan in the Zenkunen War (Early Nine Years' War) and the Kiyohara clan in the Gosannen War (Later Three Years' War). Subsequently, he became something of a paragon of samurai skill and bravery.

..... The campaign against the Abe clan lasted twelve years (nine, with three years truce). Yoshiie fought alongside his father in most if not every battle. Abe no Yoritoki died in 1057, but his son Abe no Sadato took up command of his father's forces.
..... Named Governor of Mutsu province in 1083, Yoshiie took it upon himself, without orders from the Imperial Court, to bring some peace and order to the region.
- - - More in the WIKIPEDIA !

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Hachiman Taro
Minamoto Yoshiie, a man who came to embody the spirit of the samurai and a legend even in his own time, was the son of Minamoto Yoriyoshi. Yoriyoshi, the third generation of the Seiwa Genji, was a noted commander, and in 1051 was commissioned to defeat the rebellious Abe family of Dewa. The Abe had for years held prominent posts in this distant, forbidding region, and had come to enjoy a near autonomous existance. Like Taira Masakado, the Abe had been tasked with subduing the northern barbarians, and, from the Court's point of view and over time, become barbarians themselves.

Yoriyoshi's chief opponent was Abe Yoritoki, an unscrupulous character who died of an arrow wound in 1057. By this point in the so-called Former Nine-Years War, Yoriyoshi's son Yoshiie had joined the expedition. A promising young warrior, Yoshiie participated in the Battle of Kawasaki (later in 1057) against Yoritoki's heir Sadato. In a snowstorm, the Minamoto assaulted Sadato's stronghold at Kawasaki and were driven back; in the course of the hard-fought retreat Yoshiie distinguished himself and earned the nickname 'Hachimantaro', or 'First son (or First born) of the God of War (Hachiman)'. Abe Sadato comes across as an altogether more impressive man than his father, and proved a formidable foe even for Yoshiie and Yoriyoshi. Yet the Minamoto cause was much assisted by the enlistment of Kiyowara Noritake, a locally powerful figure whose rugged northern men swelled Yoriyoshi's ranks.

- - - - - Continue reading in the archives :
. The Heian Period - Court and Clan .


- - - - - He founded the temple
. Hoosenji 宝仙寺 Hosen-Ji .
- 明王山 Myoozan 　聖無動院 Shomudo-In　宝仙寺 Hosen-Ji
東京都中野区中央2-33-3 - 2 Chome-33-3 Chūō, Nakano ward, Tokyo

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- - - - - ABC List of the prefectures :

.................................................................. Fukushima 福島県　 ....................................................

He came to Oshu to fight 奥州征伐 the local people in 1189. At 不動滝 the Fudo Waterfall the 馬の足跡 footprints of his horse can still be seen.


.................................................................. Iwate 岩手県　 ..........................................................

. Hidaka Jinja 日高神社 Hidaka Shrine .
- and Hachimantaro in Mizusawa, Iwate


.................................................................. Nagano　長野県 ..........................................................

. Hachimantaro koma tsunagi sakura 八幡太郎駒繋ぎ桜.
cherry tree where Hachiman Taro bound his horse, Matsumoto Castle



.................................................................. Tochigi 栃木県 ..........................................................

bijin Benten 美人弁天 Benten for Beauty
Itsukushima Shrine, 厳島神社
栃木県足利市本城2丁目1855 - Tochigi, Ashikaga

Akashi Benten 明石弁天

Ashikaga is "the Land of Beauties".
This shrine relates back to 1056, to Akashi hime 明石姫 Princess Akashi
She was a beautiful, gentle woman, protecting her husband 源八幡太郎義家 Minamoto no Yoshiie Hachimantaro, as best as she could.

. Benten, Benzaiten 弁天　弁財天 .



.................................................................. Tokyo 東京都 ..........................................................



Hakkeizaka yoroikakematsu 八景坂鎧掛松 The Armor-hanging Pine at Hakkeizaka slope
Utagawa Hiroshige 歌川 広重　－ Meisho Edo hyakkei - One Hundred Famous Views of Edo

Here at this pine 八幡太郎鎧掛けの松 Hachimantaro hanged his armour.


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Hachiman Taro: Firstborn of the God of War
By Ned Greenwood
- read at books.google.co.jp -


- Reference in Japanese -

- Reference in English -

yokai database 妖怪データベース
- 17 legends to explore -

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. Legends about Hachiman Shrines 八幡宮　/ 八幡神社 .
- Introduction -

. minwa 民話　folktales / densetsu 伝説　Japanese Legends .
- Introduction -

- Yookai 妖怪 Yokai Monsters of Japan -
- Introduction -

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Hachiman legends

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. Japanese legends and tales 伝説　民話 昔話 - Introduction .
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Legends about Hachiman Shrines 八幡宮　/ 八幡神社

The Warrior Deity Hachiman 八幡神, deifiction of Emperor Oojin 応神天皇　Ojin Tenno,
is quite popular in Japan and there are many shrines in his name. Another reading of the Chinese characters is YAHATA or YAWATA.

Today there are approximately 30,000 Hachimangū shrines nationwide, with the head shrine at
Usa Hachimangū 宇佐八幡宮 Usa Hachimangu in Ōita.



The dove (hato) in the shrine name board as hachi　八 .
The dove is the messenger of Emperor Ojin (Hachiman).
. Warrior Deity Hachiman 八幡神 .


. 八幡大菩薩 Hachiman Daibosatsu Legends .


. hato 鳩　 dove, pidgeon legends .
amulets of many Hachiman shrines




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Because as Emperor Ōjin he was an ancestor of the Minamoto clan, Hachiman became the tutelary kami (氏神 ujigami) of the Minamoto samurai clan.

. Minamoto no Yoshiie Hachimantaro 源八幡太郎義家 (1039 - 1106) .
- - - - - with legends of his own.

- 17 legends to explore -

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- - - - - ABC List of the prefectures :

.................................................................. Aomori 青森県 ....................................................................

七戸町 Shichinohe / Hachinohe

八幡大明神 Hachiman Daimyojin

延元3(1338)年、春、東南方から一条の光りがたなびいてそれが夜な夜な光り輝くので、西野孫左衛門が登って確かめ、一本の鏑矢を発見して持ち帰った。すると、その子孫四郎が託宣を得、岳の頂上に祀って、雄岳の名を八幡岳と改めたのだと言う。


.................................................................. Gifu 愛知県 ....................................................................

. Hachiman Jinja 八幡神社 - 下呂町 Gero Hot Spring .



.................................................................. Kagawa 香川県 ....................................................................

高松市 Takamatsu

Hachimanguu八幡宮 Hachiman-Gu

細川右馬頭頼之が予州の河野を攻めるとき、石清尾八幡宮に祈願すると、神殿の扉からひとつがいの山鳩が飛び出て戦い、東の山鳩が勝った。この後、頼之は四国を平定した。



.................................................................. Kyoto 京都府 ....................................................................

近衛殿が鳩を10羽放生したが、田地を荒らすと地下が訴訟し、鳩を八幡へ送った。ところが翌日にはすべて元の場所へ戻った。

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亀岡市 Kameoka

kengeki no hibiki 剣戟の響 sound of sword fighting
At the shrine 鍬山神社 Kuwayama Jinja the deity 八幡大明神 Hachiman Daimyojin was newly venerated, but on that night there was rumbling in the earth and strong wind and the sound of sword fighting could be heard. Next morning the dead body of a dove and a usagi 兎 rabbit were found o the ground. It seemed the two deities had been fighting all night.
So they decided to build a new shrine for the Hachiman deity.

- quote -
Built in 709, Kuwayama Jinja was long protected by the feudal lords of Kameyama Castle.
It honors the Shinto God credited with creating the Tamba region in which Kameoka is located. The area where Kameoka sits now was once a lake. It is said that a Shinto God dug a path through the mountains with a hoe, which drained the lake and became the Hozugawa River. This shrine is named after that act (in Japanese, kuwa means "hoe" and yama means "mountain").
- source : city.kameoka.kyoto.jp... -
Kamigaichi-22-2 Kamiyadacho, Kameoka, Kyoto
- 鍬山宮 : 大巳貴神＜おおなむちのかみ＞(大国主神) Daikoku (rabbit)
- 八幡宮 : 応神天皇（誉田別尊>＜ほむだわけのみこと＞ Ojin (dove)


.................................................................. Niigata 新潟県 ..............................................................

. Hachiman Jinja no shinzoo 八幡神社の神像 statue at the shrine Hachiman Jinja .
粟島浦村 Awashimaura village. Awashima Island / 釜谷 Kamaya and 木場 Kiba hamlets



.................................................................. Tokyo　東京　Edo ..............................................................

江東区 Koto ward

. Hachiman Sha 八幡社 .

.......................................................................
新宿区 Shinjuku

. 八幡大菩薩 Hachiman Daibosatsu Legends .

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yokai database 妖怪データベース
- - - - - Hachimangu 八幡宮 61 entries
- source : www.nichibun.ac.jp -
- - - - - Hachiman Jinja 八幡神社 36 entries
- source : www.nichibun.ac.jp -

- - - - - 八幡岳 Hachiman 162 entries
八幡岳 / 八幡様 / 八幡蛍 / 八幡田
- source : www.nichibun.ac.jp -

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. minwa 民話　folktales / densetsu 伝説　Japanese Legends .
- Introduction -

- Yookai 妖怪 Yokai Monsters of Japan -
- Introduction -


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Matsuo Basho footsteps

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. ABC List of Contents .
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Matsuo Basho　松尾芭蕉　

Matsuo Basho visited many places of interest since the Heian period, especially on his travels written down in
Oku no Hosomichi.

. Matsuo Basho　松尾芭蕉 .
- Introduction -

Trying to collect them here.
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Oku no Hosomichi - 奥の細道 - おくのほそ道


. - - - Station 10 - Shirakawa no Seki 白川の関 - - - .
Waka by Fujiwara no Suemichi　藤原 季通　(Heian period, around 1158)


. - - - Station 13 - Shinobu no Sato 忍ぶの里 / 信夫 - - - .
Three seemingly unconnected objects - a large, moss-dappled rock, the Michinoku (Tohoku) kimono design of mottled ferns made famous in the Heian period (794 - 1185), and an impossible love story


. - - - Station 16 - Kasajima 笠嶋 - - - .
in memory of Toono chuujoo Sanekata 藤中将実方 Tono Chujo Sanekata
Fujiwara no Sanekata 藤原実方



. - - - Station 20 - Shiogama 塩釜 - - - .
Sue no matsuyama 末の松山
This is also an Uta makura. Among the Azuma Uta of the Kokinshu is: -- Another poem from Goshuishu by Kiyohara no Motosuke (One of the 36 poetic geniuses of the Heian period, he was also a skilled player of the koto. He was editor of the Gosen Waka Shu ((909-990)): --
Izumi no Saburo　泉三郎
Izumi no Saburo was the third son of Fujiwara no Hidehira (?-1187) who built the powerful Fujiwara presence at Hiraizumi in the late Heian period.
and Saigyo 　西行法師　
visiting the grave of Fujiwara Sanekata, a Heian period poet who was exiled in the North:



. - - - Station 23 - Hiraizumi 平泉　 - - - .
It was the home of the Hiraizumi Fujiwaras for about 100 years in the late Heian era.
The Golden Hall 光堂 at Chūson-ji 中尊寺 Chuson-Ji.



. - - - Station 25 - Obanazawa 尾花沢 - - - .
鈴木清風 Suzuki Seifu / (1651 - 1721) . Suzuki Michiyuu 鈴木道祐
残月軒清風
He was a dealer in safflowers (benibana), a speciality of the region. Their extract was an important ingredient in cosmetics and for dying cloths since the Heian period.



. - - - Station 37 - Natadera 那谷寺
and Yamanaka Onsen 山中温泉 Yamanaka Hot Spring - - - .
The name was changed to Natadera by the emperor Kazan, who ruled during the Heian Period. In his later years, Kazan often stayed at the temple, and designed the gardens to resemble the Fudaraku mountain of the Pure Land on which lives Kannon Bosatsu.


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. Dōsojin 道祖神 Dosojin - Roadside Gods .
In the famous “Narrow Road to the North”Oku no Hosomichi　奥の細道, Matsuo Basho writes about the stone statues of the wayside gods.



. Genji Monogatari 源氏物語　Tale of Genji .
Songs in the Garden: Poetry and Gardens in Ancient Japan



. hanagokoro, hana gokoro 花心 "flower-heart" .
that expression seems already been used in Heian poetry ... the heart of a lady in love, but also the heart changing as fast as cherry blossoms fall ...



. - hanami 花見 cherry-blossom viewing - .
Hanagaki Jinja 花垣神社 Hanagaki Shrine in Yono, Mie prefecture.
One day, Shoshi, a princess in the Heian period (794-1192) went through Hanagaki-jinja shrine.
一里はみな花守の子孫かや　
hitozato wa mina hanamori no shison kana
- - - Written in 1690 元禄3年春 at Hanagaki no sho 花垣の庄 in Mie, Yono. Basho age 47.




. - hototogisu 郭公 / ほととぎす - .
This is one of the classical season words, used in the poetry of the Heian period.
Basho sometimes uses the word and adds a new twist, closer to the normal life of the normal people of his Edo.
Basho uses the Chinese characters 郭公, which was common during the Heian period.



. - kami 神 Shinto deities - .
我も神のひさうや仰ぐ梅の花
ware mo kami no hisoo ya aogu ume no hana
- - - Kanke Kooshuu 菅家後集 Kanke Kōshū from the Heian period, about 903,
with poems of Sugawara no Michizane 菅原道真.



. Kigo and kidai 松尾芭蕉と季語（季題）- Jahreszeitenworte -.
Seasonal references were very important in the poetry of Japan since the Heian period. Manuals with collections of seasonal words grew as composing poetry moved on from the aristocracy to the townspeople of the Edo period.



. kiku 菊 and the Chrysanthemum Festival .
"When I left Nara it was time for the Chrysanthemums, but now as I reach Naniwa, it is time for the beginning of the autum moon."
During the night of yoizukiyo, on the second or third day of the full moon cycle, the sickle moon is out only for a short while in the early evening. Thus it was well loved by poets since the Heian period.
Basho had left Nara on the 9th day of the 9th lunar month (the Chrysanthemum Festival) (Now about October 23 / 24).
He passed the Kuragoshi Pass and the Ikoma Mountain range and arrived in Naniwa/Osaka at the Ikutama shrine 生玉神社　on the 10th day and the roads where still full of the fragrance of chrysanthemums.



. - Kiso　木曽 / 木曾 in Nagano - .
桟やまづ思ひ出づ馬迎へ
The Hanging Bridge at Kiso 木曽の架け橋　/ 木曽のかけはし　Kiso no Kakehashi
kakehashi ya mazu omoi-izu uma mukae
- - - This is an old custom since the Heian period, on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month.
An official from the court comes to pick up the horses (mukae, mukai) at Kirihara, from the various horse breeding regions. He comes up to this bridge to meet the horses and has them handed over to bring to the court.



. - Nara 奈良 ancient capital of Japan - .
There is also a waka by Ise no Oosuke - Taifu 伊勢大輔 a poet of the Heian period.


. - Nenbutsu 念仏 Amida Prayer - .
Basho wrote a haiku at the grave of
Minamoto no Tomonaga (源朝長) (1144–1160), a Minamoto clan samurai of the late Heian period.



. Ochazuke and Naracha 奈良茶 .
The origins of Ochazuke is still unknown. However, in Heian era, there was a meal called "yuzuke", which is a bowl of rice and hot water poured on top.


. Ono no Komachi 小野 小町 .
. meigetsu ya umi ni mukaeba nana Komachi .



. Saigyo 芭蕉と西行法師 Basho and Saigyo .


. Sayo no Nakayama 佐夜の中山 and Kinome tooge 木目峠 / 木ノ芽峠 Kinome Toge pass .
This pass had been crossed by many famous people since the Heian period., for example
西行 Saigyo, Taira no Koremori 平惟盛、Kiso Yoshinaka 木曽義仲、Shinran, 親鸞、Dogen 道元, Nitta Yoshisada 新田義貞, monk Rennyo 蓮如, the Asakura clan 朝倉一族, Oda Nobunaga 織田信長, Toyotomi Hideyoshi 豊臣秀吉 and many more.



. Taira no Atsumori 平敦盛 (1169 - 1184) .
Atsumori was famous for his flute playing. And a haiku by Matsuo Basho.




source :　andante.blog92.fc2
Komachi Tanabata Festival at Yuzawa Town

. - Tanabata 七夕 Star Festival - .
It has been celebrated since the Heian period in Japan, with the wish that young girls would become proficient in weaving and keeping a good home.



. - ume ga ka 梅が香 plum fragrance - .
ume, sometimes spelled mume　むめ, as it was called in the Heian period.
Basho makes use of both spellings.
Prunus mume, a kind of apricot tree.



. - utabukuro, uta fukuro 歌袋 song-pouch, bag to keep poetry - .
utabukuro are made of strong Japanese paper (danshi 檀紙), or cotton or other material.
Often called michinokugami 陸奥紙 because it was produced in Michinoku area (part of modern day Tohoku 東北) during the Heian period.




. - Yamashiro 山城 and Ide 井出 / 井手 - .
“Yamashiro” was formerly written with the characters meaning “mountain” (山) and “area” (代); in the 7th century, there were things built listing the name of the province with the characters for “mountain” and “ridge”/“back” (山背国). On 4 December 794 (8 Shimotsuki, 13th year of Enryaku), at the time of the christening of Heian-kyō, because of the resultant scenic beauty when Emperor Kammu made his castle utilizing the natural surroundings, the shiro was finally changed to “castle” (山城国).



. - yume 夢　dream - .
夢よりも現の鷹ぞ頼もしき　
yume yori mo utsutsu no taka zo tanomoshiki
- - - Basho is writing with respect to a waka in the Kokinshu poetry almanach of the Heian period.



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- quote -
Kazan Tennō 花山天皇 Kazan Tenno, Emperor Kazan
(January 26, 967 – February 8, 1008) was the 65th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.
Kazan's reign spanned the years from 984 through 986.
- - - More in the WIKIPEDIA !



月岡芳年 Tsukioka Yoshitoshi 「花山寺の月」


- quote -
In 984 Enyu Tenno abdicated in favor of Kazan Tenno and the next heir designated was one of Kaneie's grandsons. Kazan was the grandson of the deceased Fujiwara Koretada. Yoritada continued as regent. The change of ruler benefited Koretada's son Yoshichika, who now joined the rapid-promotion track. It may be easily seen that political struggles between the Fujiwara and others had all but ceased and now the competition was among the steadily increasing number of active Fujiwara lineages.

Kazan Tenno's favorite wife died in an advanced stage of pregnancy in 986 and the emperor became distraught and started to talk of abdicating and becoming a Buddhist monk.
. Japanese History / The Middle Heian Period .

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. Reference - Matsuo Basho Archives .

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Tsuta Onsen Aomori

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. ABC List of Contents .
. Legends about Onsen Hot Springs　温泉と伝説 .
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Tsuta Onsen 蔦温泉　Tsuta Hot Spring - Aomori
- - - - - 久安の湯 Kyuan no Yu

Aomori Prefecture, Towada, Oirase 奥瀬蔦野湯1


CLICK for more photos !

Tsuta Hot Spring is a lone "secret hot spring" in the 奥瀬 Oirase woods of Aomori.

It dates back to the time of
kyuuan 久安 Kyuan, from 1145.7.22 - 1151.1.26 in the Heian period.
The time of Emperor Konoe 近衛天皇.


- quote -
Tsuta Onsen is nestled deep in the southern part of the Hakkoda Mountains in Aomori Prefecture, embraced in the stillness of a Japanese beech forest.
Here, time in the forest passes slowly and serenely.
Time for a beech seedling to grow into a tree and for the tree to finally return to the earth.
Time for the rich forest to offer a rich source of water.
Time for the wet marshland to turn into a soft forest bed.
One minute in the city passes differently from a minute in a hot spring inn in the forest.
For now, turn away from the rush of daily life and enjoy the slow passage of time in the forest.

- Extensive English HP of the Hot Spring:
- source : tsutaonsen.com/en -

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Already known in the year Kyuan 3, 久安３年 - 1147
Mentioned in the literature as a small hut where people come to heal their illness.
It is "a place where tsuta grows in abundance.

木に絡むツタ植物が豊富にあったこと
- source : tsutaonsen.com/history -

久安の湯 Kyuan no Yu
This bath was renovated in 1990. In the olden days, the large baths at Japanese inns were used by both men and women at the same time. Now men and women take a bath at different times. This bath is popular for its cozy and traditional atmosphere. In the wash area is a tank in which freshwater fish of the area swim.

In the morning and after 9 in the evening for women.
From 13:00 to 20:00 by men.



source :　m-tune.co.jp/blog/porsche-paranoia

crane at the gables of the main entry - 蔦温泉 - 鶴

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Emperor Konoe 近衛天皇 Konoe Tennō
(June 16, 1139 – August 22, 1155)
was the 76th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.

Konoe's reign spanned the years from 1142 through 1155.
Konoe was named heir shortly after he was born in 1139; and he was proclaimed emperor at the age of 3.



During Konoe's reign, the Enshō (Superiority of Duration) Temple was built.
After this, successive emperors no longer build Imperial-prayer temples.

Emperor Konoe's reign lasted for 13 years: 2 years in the nengō Kōji, 1 year in Ten'yō, 6 years in Kyūan, 3 years in Ninpei, and 2 years in Kyūju.

The years of Konoe's reign are more specifically identified by more than one era name or nengō.

Kōji (1142–1144)
Ten'yō (1144–1145)
Kyūan (1145–1151)
Ninpei (1151–1154)
Kyūju (1154–1156)


- - - Ten'yō gannen or Ten'yō 1,

Kyūan 1, in the 8th month (1145): The mother of former Emperor Sutoku (also known as "Taikenmon-In") died.

Kyūan 2, in the 2nd month (1146), Konoe visited Toba-no-Hōō.
Kyūan 2, in the 12th month (1146), Konoe joined in a celebration honoring Sesshō Fujiwara no Tadamichi (the regent) on his 58th birthday.[6] This event was important because, in each sexagenary cycle, the first and the fifty-eighth years were considered to be auspicious according to Chinese astrological principles.

Kyūan 4, in the 6th month (1148: The imperial palace was consumed by flames.

Kyūan 6, in the 1st month (1150): Konoe assumed the role of a mature adult; and he married Fujiwara-no Tokoku, who had been raised by Sadaijin Yorinaga. Tokoku was the daughter of Dainagon Taira-no Kiyomori. This bride became Kōkōgō (皇皇后) or first empress.

Kyūan 6, in the 3rd month (1150): Konoe married again, this time to "Feï-si," who had been raised by Sesshō Fujiwara-no Tadamichi. She was the daughter of Dainagon Fujiwara-no Koremichi. This bride became Chūgū (中宮) or second empress. Konoe was so very much enamoured of this second wife that he neglected his first wife, which caused discord in the kugyō, especially between Tadamichi and Yorinaga.
Kyūan 6, in the 12th month (1150): Sesshō Minamoto-no Tadamichi, resigns his position and is named Daijō Daijin. In this same month, Minamoto-no Yoshikane became head of the Ashikaga clan in Shimotsuke province.

- - - Ninpei 1

- - - More in the WIKIPEDIA !

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. Eight famous old Hot Springs 八古湯 since the Heian Period .
- Introduction -




. tsuta 蔦 (つた) Japanese ivy .
Parthenocissus tricuspidata

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Sei Shonagon

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. Persons of the Heian Period (794 to 1185) 平安時代 .
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Sei Shōnagon, Sei Shoonagon 清少納言 Sei Shonagon
(c. 966 – 1017/1025)

daughter of the poet Kiyohara Motosuke 清原元輔.



- quote -
Sei Shōnagon, lesser councilor of state Sei
Japanese author and a court lady who served the Empress Teishi (Sadako) around the year 1000 during the middle Heian period.
She is best known as the author of The Pillow Book (枕草子 makura no sōshi, Makura no Soshi).

Sei Shōnagon's actual given name is not known. It was the custom among aristocrats in those days to call a court lady (女房 nyōbō) by a nickname taken from her clan name or a court office belonging either a close male relative. Sei (清) derives from her father's family name "Kiyohara" (清原) (the native Japanese reading of 清 is kiyo, while the Chinese reading is sei), while Shōnagon (少納言, lesser councilor of state) refers to a government post. It is unknown which of her relatives held the post of shōnagon. However, she was called "Shōnagon" ("minor counselor") at court. Her actual name has been a topic of debate among scholars, who generally favor Kiyohara Nagiko (清原諾子) as a likely possibility.
. . . Shōnagon
became popular through her work The Pillow Book, a collection of lists, gossip, poetry, observations, complaints written during her years in the court, a miscellaneous genre of writing known as zuihitsu. The Pillow Book was circulated at court, and for several hundred years existed in handwritten manuscripts. First printed in the 17th century, it exists in different versions: the order of entries may have been changed by scribes with comments and passages added, edited, or deleted. In The Pillow Book, Shōnagon writes about Empress Teishi, and her disappointment after her father's death when Fujiwara no Michinaga made his daughter Shōshi consort to Ichijō, and then empress, making Teishi one of two empresses at court.
- source : wikipedia -

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The Pillow Book of Sei Shonagon
Ivan Morris



The Pillow Book of Sei Shonagon is a fascinating, detailed account of Japanese court life in the eleventh century. Written by a lady of the court at the height of Heian culture, this book enthralls with its lively gossip, witty observations, and subtle impressions.

Sei Shonagon was the daughter of the poet Kiyohara Motosuke and was in the service of the empress Sadako from about 991 to 1000. Her Pillow Book, which covers the period of her life at court, consists in part of vividly recounted memoirs of her impressions and observations and in part of categories such as "Annoying Things," or "Things Which Distract in Moments of Boredom" within which she lists and classifies the people, events, and objects around her. The work is notable for Sei Shonagon's sensitive descriptions of nature and everyday life and for its mingling of appreciative sentiments and the detached, even caustic, value judgments typical of a sophisticated court lady.

Lady Shonagon was an erstwhile rival of Lady Murasaki, whose novel, The Tale of Genji, fictionalized the elite world Lady Shonagon so eloquently relates. Featuring reflections on royal and religious ceremonies, nature, conversation, poetry, and many other subjects, The Pillow Book is an intimate look at the experiences and outlook of the Heian upper class, further enriched by Ivan Morris's extensive notes and critical contextualization.
source :　www.amazon.com

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Each time of the day has been associated with a season in court poetry.
For example Sei Shonagon 清少納言　wrote:

春はあけぼの 夏は夜 秋は夕暮れ　冬はつとめて

haru wa akebono - in spring the daybreak, dawn
natsu wa yoru - in summer the the night
aki no yuugure - in autumn the dusk, evening
fuyu wa tsutomete - in winter the early morning



. WKD - morning and related kigo .


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Minami Hokkeji 南法華寺 (Tsubosakadera 壷阪寺) - Nara
Nr. 6 of the Saikoku Kannon Pilgrimage

Minamihokkeji Temple is the name of a group of temples, and according to an old head priest of the Temple, it was at the zenith of its prosperity in Heian era when a grand cathedral of total 36 halls and 60 houses including the main buildings, five brand halls and a baptismal hall were constructed. The brand appearance of Tsubosakadera Temple was described with admiration in the storybook of Sei Shonagon abreast of Koya Temple.

. Tsubosakadera 壷阪寺 .

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Legend states that Sei Shonagon spent her old age in misery and loneliness.
- source : readliterature.com -


....................................................................... Kagawa 香川県


At 象頭山 Mount Zozuzan near Kotohira there is a stone memorial said to be the 古墳 burial mound of Sei Shonagon.
Once the villagers wanted to move it to another place but in the dream of the monk 金光院 there appeared a beautiful woman saying:
うつつなきあとのしるしを誰にかはとはれんなれどありてしもがな
And the woman also said:
われは、これ清少納言の霊なり、この塚をな移し給ひそ」
So the villgers kept the mound and repaired it.
But we still do not know wheather this is really her grave or not.

The mound, called 清塚 Kiyozuka is near the Nio-mon Gate of Kotohira shrine 金刀比羅宮の仁王門.


source :　konpirasan-meisyouzue

There is a tea house called
"tsuge no chaya" つげの茶屋 The Tea Shop where the vision happened".
where 大野孝信 Ono Takanobu took a nap.


. Mount Zōzu-zan 象頭山 Elephant Head Mountain .



....................................................................... Tokushima 徳島県

徳島県の清少納言伝説 Legends about Sei Shonagon in Tokushima



legends about igai 貽貝 Igai blue mussel
setogai 瀬戸貝 - same as igai

Sei Shonagon had been disapproved by the son-in-law and been exiled to Tokushima.
There were many ill people in the village and she asked to help them. But they were too ill and her servants just cut them open (killed them) and threw them into the sea.
They turned into the Igai mussles of the region.
To remember this event there is a memorial mound, Amazuka 尼塚.
Peoole now come here for relief from sexually-related diseases.

Another version reports
that Sei Shonagon commited suicide in the village by cutting out her genitals, which turned into the mussles.

Another version reports:
When Sei Shonagon was exiled to Tokushima, she walked along the beach, where a young fisherman passed by and raped her.
She was so angry about this that she cut out her genitals, which turned into the mussles.


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- Reference in Japanese -

- Reference in English -

yokai database 妖怪データベース
- source : www.nichibun.ac.jp -


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. Join the friends on Facebook ! .

- #heianseishonagon #seishonagon -
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Emon Saburo

- BACK to the Daruma Museum -
. Persons of the Heian Period (794 to 1185) .
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Emon Saburoo, Emon Saburō 衛門三郎 Emon Saburo
and the beginning of o-settai, settai 摂待

- quote -
a legendary figure of early ninth-century Japan associated with Kūkai and the Shikoku Henro 88 temple pilgrimage.

Legend
A mendicant visited the house of Emon Saburō, richest man in Shikoku, seeking alms. Emon refused, broke the pilgrim's begging bowl, and chased him away with a broom.



After his eight sons fell ill and died, Emon realized that Kūkai was the affronted pilgrim and set out to seek his forgiveness. Having travelled round the island twenty times clockwise in vain, he undertook the route in reverse.
Finally he collapsed exhausted and on his deathbed Kūkai appeared to grant absolution. Emon requested that he be reborn into a wealthy family in Matsuyama so that he might restore a neglected temple. Dying, he clasped a stone. Shortly afterwards a baby was born with his hand grasped tightly around a stone inscribed "Emon Saburō is reborn."


source :　David on facebook
- - - This is the rock (5.4cm). - At Temple 51.

When the baby grew up, he used his wealth to restore the Ishite-ji (石手寺) or "stone-hand temple", in which there is an inscription of 1567 recounting the tale.



Monuments
Emon Saburo's grave is beside the path between Temple 11 and Temple 12, at the spot where he fell. Near Temple 46 there is a burial mound said to contain his eight sons. At Ishite-ji there is a casket containing the eponymous stone.

Interpretation
The legend supports a number of practices of the Shikoku pilgrimage:
it encourages the custom of osettai or alms; suggests wealth should be spent endowing temples; gives an origin for the practice of reverse circuits of the island; and promises absolution for pilgrims.
- source : wikipedia -




衛門三郎と弘法大師（
at Tsuesugi-An 杖杉庵）
- source : Japanese wikipedia -


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Monju-in, the 9th Bangai Temple in Shikoku

It was from here that Emon Saburo began his pilgrimage in search of Kukai....



- source : ojisanjake.blogspot.jp -


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. Ishiteji 石手寺 Ishite-Ji .

. o-settai, settai 摂待 giving alms to Henro pilgrims .
kado-cha 門茶 "tea at the gate", giving tea as alms at the temple gate

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- Reference in Japanese -

- Reference in English - Emon Saburo -



source :　facebook

the "Shikoku Pilgrimage Community Salon" (Ohenro Koryu Salon),
located between Temple 87 and 88 in Kagawa prefecture.
- source : www.topia.ne.jp -

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. Shikoku Henro Temple List .

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. Join the friends on Facebook ! .

- #heianemonsaburo #emonsaburo -
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