Dewa Shrine

Mountain and shrine complex in Yamagata Prefecture, Japan
38°42′09″N 139°58′58″E / 38.70250°N 139.98278°E / 38.70250; 139.98278 Glossary of Shinto

Mount Haguro (羽黒山, Haguro-san) is one of the Three Mountains of Dewa in the city of Tsuruoka, the ancient province of Dewa (a domain consisting of modern-day Yamagata Prefecture and Akita Prefecture), Japan. It is a large shrine complex with a major Shinto shrine[1][2] associated with Shugendo. As the lowest of the three mountains, standing at 414 m (1,358 ft), it is the only one that is accessible throughout the year.[3][4][5] By contrast Gassan Shrine and Yudonosan Shrine, which are closed during winter due to heavy snowfall. Because of this it is considered the main shrine.[3][4][5]

A path of 2,446 stone steps[6] leads to its summit amidst 600-year-old sugi trees, past the famous Gojūnotō (五重塔) five story pagoda, Grandpa cedar (jijisugi 爺杉), the 1000 years old cedar tree, and numerous shrines. The steps and the pagoda are listed as National Treasures.[3][4][5][7] Dewa Shrine, also called Hagurosan Shrine or Sanjingōsaiden shrine (三神合祭殿) located at the summit venerates the spirits of all three mountains, making it the most important of all the three shrines.[2]

The summit can also be reached by bus service. In addition to religious pilgrims, travellers often stay at the Saikan temple lodgings.

In the Edo period there used to be 336 shukubo on the mountain.[8]

The Haguro five story pagoda
A torii on the way up the mountain


Gallery

  • Shōrō
  • Sanzan Gosai-den temple
    Sanzan Gosai-den temple
  • Gosai-den-haiden
    Gosai-den-haiden
  • Gojū-tō
    Gojū-tō
  • The path to the summit
    The path to the summit
  • Haniyamahime-jinja
    Haniyamahime-jinja
  • The Gojū-tō Pagoda, near the base of Mount Haguro
    The Gojū-tō Pagoda, near the base of Mount Haguro
  • The grounds of the Saikan lodgings.
    The grounds of the Saikan lodgings.
  • A temple at the top of Mount Haguro.
    A temple at the top of Mount Haguro.
  • Detailed engraving work atop a temple.
    Detailed engraving work atop a temple.
  • Bell and torii
    Bell and torii
  • Incense
    Incense
  • Sculpture
    Sculpture
  • The path to the summit
    The path to the summit

See also

References

  1. ^ "Hagurosan｜Dewa Sanzan Shrine formula homepage". Dewa Sanzan Shrine official site. Retrieved 2023-04-07.
  2. ^ a b "Haguro-san". www.japan-guide.com. Retrieved 2023-04-07.
  3. ^ a b c Earhart, H. Byron. (1965). Four ritual periods of Haguro shugendo in northeastern Japan. History of Religions, 5(1), 93-113.
  4. ^ a b c Earhart, H. Byron. (1968). The celebration of "Haru-Yama" (Spring Mountain): An example of folk religious practices in contemporary Japan. Asian Folklore Studies, 27(1), 1-24
  5. ^ a b c Hori, Ichiro. (1966) Mountains and their importance for the idea of the other world in Japanese folk religion. History of Religions, 6(1), 1-23
  6. ^ "Mt. Haguro - Japan National Tourism Organization". Retrieved 2017-06-26.
  7. ^ turuden. "Five-storied Pagoda of Mt. Haguro | Haguro Tourist Association" (in Japanese). Retrieved 2023-04-11.
  8. ^ Earhart, H. B. (1965). Four Ritual Periods of Haguro Shugendō in Northeastern Japan. History of Religions, 5(1), 93–113. JSTOR 1061805

External links

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Dewa Sanzan.
  • Mount Haguro Page (English)
  • English information about Mount Haguro