Have you ever thought about how you want to face the end of your life?
'I want to live as healthily and long as possible, and in the end, I want to leave without burdening my family and without suffering, peacefully departing' — this ultimate wish has remained unchanged for us living in modern times and for people from hundreds of years ago.
In the Aizu region, there is a belief called "Aizu Korori Three Kannon Pilgrimage" that has long been rooted in fulfilling wishes.
By visiting the three temples: Nakata Kannon (Aizumisato Town), Tachiki Kannon (Aizubashakawa Town), and Toroi Kannon (Nishi-Aizu Town), and praying while clinging to the "hugging pillar," one can eliminate the three poisons (greed, anger, and ignorance) and be promised a peaceful rebirth in paradise.
This time, we will guide you on a pilgrimage drive course for adults to reflect on "life and death" while enjoying the mysteries of history and beautiful architecture.
1. A Mother's Deep Love and a Sad Legend【Nakata Kannon (Koanji)】
First, let's start from Nakata Kannon in Aizumisato Town, which is close to Aizuwakamatsu.
This temple is known for Shika, the mother of the world-renowned bacteriologist Hideyo Noguchi, who prayed every month without fail for her son's recovery from burns and his success in life.
A Parental Love That Crosses Time
The principal image, the "Bronze Eleven-faced Kannon (National Important Cultural Property)," holds a sad legend. During the Kamakura period, a person named Egawa Chōja cast this life-sized Kannon statue in memory of his only daughter, Tokihime, who died at the young age of 17.
The image of a mother praying for her son's success and a father remembering his deceased daughter. It is a very warm and slightly sad place where "deep parental love" crosses time.
Let's firmly hug the "hugging pillar" inside the hall and offer our first prayer.
2. A Giant Kannon Still Rooted! 【Tachiki Kannon (Eiryuji)】
Next, we head to Tachiki Kannon, located in Aizubashakawa Town, about 20-30 minutes by car from Nakata Kannon.
The main attraction here is undoubtedly the magnificent main hall with a thatched roof (Important Cultural Property) and the enormous "Eleven-faced Thousand-armed Kannon statue" inside, which stands about 8.5 meters tall.
Remarkably, this Kannon statue is said to have been carved from a giant zelkova tree while it was still rooted (standing tree Buddha), and it is said that the roots still extend to the floor below.
Looking up, the overwhelming scale can make your neck hurt, and it feels as if it is directly absorbing the energy of the earth.
There is also a splendid "hugging pillar" here. While being enveloped by the compassion of the giant Kannon, let’s lean against the pillar and wish, "Please guide me gently without long suffering."
3. The Mystery of Left Jingo's "Hidden Carving"【Toroi Kannon (Nohōji)】
Finally, after about an hour by car, we head to the "Torioi Kannon" in Nishiaizu Town, surrounded by nature. This is one of the leading Kannon spiritual sites opened by the genius monk Tokui as the "Western Pure Land of Aizu."
The structure of the hall here is very academic and features a rare one-way design, where visitors enter from the east entrance and exit through the west entrance (towards the Western Pure Land) without returning. The structure of the building itself represents the "journey from this life to the afterlife."
And for architecture fans, a must-see is the "Hidden Three Monkeys," said to be carved by the legendary sculptor of the Edo period, Hidarijingo.
A pilgrimage journey to "live well"
How was it?
When you hear the name "Korori Three Kannon," you might think it sounds a bit ominous. However, contemplating death (memento mori) is the best academic experience to seriously reflect on "how to live in the present."
At "Tabinoito," we offer a tour in the academic style that carefully unravels the historical background and Buddhist views on life and death, along with the guide's rich knowledge.
With a goshuin book in hand, why not spend a quiet time facing your own heart while driving through the beautiful scenery of Aizu? The travel time between each temple (approximately 1.5 to 2 hours in total) will surely become a blissful moment filled with historical talks with the guide.
[Aizu Korori Three Kannon Pilgrimage Data]
* Pilgrimage by car is recommended. Taking a leisurely two-day trip is also a wonderful experience.
|
Temple Name (Location) |
Admission Fee / Opening Hours, etc. |
Access and Points of Interest |
|---|---|---|
|
Nakata Kannon (Kōan-ji) |
Entrance fee 400 yen |
A temple associated with Shika, the mother of Hideyo Noguchi. A bronze eleven-faced Kannon with a sad legend. |
|
Tachiki Kannon (Eiryū-ji) |
Entrance fee 300 yen |
Height 8.5m! The overwhelming presence of the giant thousand-armed Kannon, said to be carved while still rooted. |
|
Torioi Kannon (Nohō-ji) |
Free admission |
Searching for Jingo's 'Hidden Three Monkeys' and the architectural structure of 'Western Pure Land' that runs from east to west. |
