Morioka (盛岡市, Morioka-shi) - The capital
city of Iwate prefecture, Japan.
As of 2003, the city has an estimated population of 287,672
and the density of 588.11 persons per km². The total area is
489.15 km².
Morioka was founded in 1597 by Nobunao, the 26th lord of the
Nanbu clan, as a castle town. In 1655 Nanbu-han was divided
into Morioka-han and Hachinohe-han. Its name was changed
from 盛岡 to 森岡 (both read as Morioka) in 1683 when the
population was 36,000. The city was designated the capital
of Iwate on April 1, 1889.
Morioka is located in the Kitakami Basin at the confluence
of three rivers, the Kitakami, the Shizukuishi and the
Nakatsu. The Kitakami River is the longest river in Tohoku
and runs through the city from North to South. An active
volcano, beautiful Mount Iwate, dominates the view to the
northwest of the city. Mt. Himekami is to the North and Mt.
Hayachine can sometimes be seen to the Southeast.
Morioka Station was the original northern terminal of Tohoku
Shinkansen. The line was extended to Hachinohe in 2002, but
the station has kept its significant role in the traffic of
northern Tohoku. Akita Shinkansen also branches off at the
station.
The Iwate Museum of Art in Morioka displays works by three
notable local artists, Tetsugoro Yorozu, Shunsuke Matsumoto
and Yasutake Funakoshi, as well as holding exhibitions on
national and international themes.
Morioka attracts tourists with local noodles such as jajamen,
reimen, and wanko soba. Brewing is also a thriving industry
of the city. Nambu Senbei, a type of rice cracker, is
considered a local delicacy. Gyutan (beef tongue) is also
very popular.
Temples and shrines
Hoonji is a temple which was originally built at Sannohe by
the 13th lord of the Nambu Clan, Moriyuki, in 1394, and
brought to Morioka by the 27th lord, Toshinao. It was
considered the head temple among the 280 operated by the
Nambu Clan. its notable feature is the Rakando (Statues
Hall), built in 1735 and rebuilt in 1858. It's central
statue Rushana-butsu is reported to be made by Kodo-daishi.
Within the Rakando 500 Rakans, ('holy people who deserve
other's offerings') which were made in Kyoto and later
brought to Morioka, rest on a series of 5 rows of shelves
that stretch around the room. Today it is known as a Zen
training temple for monks.
Mitsuishi temple (literally, 'three rocks'), has three large
rocks on the grounds with shackles around them to represent
the story of 'Oni no tegata', which is a legend explaining
the origin of the name of Iwate prefecture. According to the
legend, there was once a devil who often tormented and
harassed the local people. When the people prayed to the
spirits of Mitsuishi for protection, the devil was
immediately shackled to the rocks and made to promise never
to trouble the people again. As a sign of this promise, the
devil left a handprint on one of the rocks, thus giving rise
to the name Iwate, literally meaning ‘rock hand’. Even now
after a rainfall it is said that the devil’s hand print can
still be seen.
History
Morioka is in the territory inhabited by the Emishi people
in ancient times. The general Sakanoue no Tamuramaro, who
was ordered to conquer the Emishi, built Shiwa Castle here
in 803, and the region gradually was brought under imperial
control.
At the end of the Heian period, Morioka was under the
control of the Ōshū Fujiwara Clan based in Hiraizumi, to the
south of Morioka. The clan was destroyed by shogun Minamoto
no Yoritomo, and the Kudo Clan replaced it. During the
Muromachi period, the Nambu Clan, based in Sannohe to the
north, expanded its territory and built Kozukata Castle
here. Kozukata changed its name to Morioka in the 17th
century.
In the Boshin War, Morioka made a pro-shogunate alliance
with Aizu, and fought against the imperial force. As a
consequence Kozukata castle was destroyed in 1874.
Information source: “Morioka, Iwate.” wikipedia.org. Article
date: 29 Jan. 2008. Retrieved: Wikipedia. 4 Mar. 2008 <Morioka, Iwate>. |
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