When I started working in Kitashiobara Village, I was taken to a place by a local who said, 'There's an amazing spot.'
After climbing steep stairs at the beginning and end, and navigating a narrow mountain path surrounded by trees, a quietly standing hall appeared. As I looked up, breathless, it was hard to believe that such a magnificent carving was built so deep in the mountains.
Why do you think the people of the past went to the trouble of building a magnificent hall on the "high mountain peak," where transporting materials was difficult? There was a deep reason hidden in the "desperation of prayer" and a profound respect and fear for nature.
The miracle that the feudal lord's wife clung to. The beginning of the "Two-Year-Old Pilgrimage"
This hall is called "Kitayama Urushi Yakushi" and is an important Buddha that protects the northern part of the "Aizu Five Yakushi" introduced in the previous article.
Around the early Edo period, the eldest son of the Aizu feudal lord, Gamou Hideyuki (Kamechiyomaru), was born with severe health issues. In an era without modern pediatrics or medicine, the survival of a young life was always on the brink of death. If you were a parent at that time, wouldn't you pray desperately to the gods and Buddhas?
A custom born from a mother's prayer that has lasted for 400 years
The feudal lord's wife, Furihime, climbed the steep mountain path to seclude herself at this Kitayama Yakushi to save her child. She continued the goma ritual three times a day for seven days, fervently praying for healing. Miraculously, Kamechiyomaru regained his health.
At this time, since Kamechiyomaru was "2 years old," a custom called "Two-Year-Old Pilgrimage" was born in Aizu, where children climb this mountain when they turn 2 years old and press their bellies against a large stone (Harauchi Stone) in the precincts to pray for health. This custom has been cherished and passed down for 400 years.
[Ancient Mystery] The "Inner Sanctuary" where light only shines on the winter solstice
Furthermore, there are many mysterious spots on this mountain that stir the romance of history.
For example, the stone statue called "Onba-sama" located along the approach.
For some reason, the eyes and nose of the face have been worn away, and it is said to have been a marker for the "barrier" of ascetics (Yamabushi) who once practiced severe training here.
And the highlight is a small spiritual cave (Inner Sanctuary) about the size of a tatami mat behind the main hall.
Standing on site, you can't help but feel an overwhelming energy (the power of a power spot) that words cannot explain.
A village submerged at the bottom of the lake. Together with the harsh and beautiful nature of Urabandai.
The history of Kitashiobara Village has always been intertwined with the natural fury of the "eruption of Mount Bandai."
The strong faith in Kitayama Yakushi stemmed from the fear of nature, which could erupt at any time. In the great eruption of Meiji 21 (1888), the village of Hibara-juku at the foot of the mountain was completely submerged.
Even today, during the winter drought period (when water levels drop), the torii gate of "Yama Shrine," which was the village's guardian deity, emerges from the lakebed, quietly conveying memories of that time.
At Tabinoito, we offer a 【Academic Style】 tour that traces the dynamic natural history of Urabandai and the traces of prayers from the people who lived there.
This deep history, which local middle school students learn as the "treasure of the village," cannot be reached by just the superficial information in guidebooks. Would you like to experience the "truth of Urabandai" that satisfies your intellectual curiosity with us?
