60-780: The Sarugaishi River ( 猿ヶ石川 , Sarugaishi-gawa ) is a river in Iwate Prefecture , Japan . The Sarugaishi River rises in the Kitakami Mountains just south of Mt. Yakushi in Tōno and empties into the Kitakami River in Hanamaki . The Tase Dam is on the Sarugaishi River, in eastern Hanamaki in the former town of Tōwa. This dam was completed in 1953. There is a legend that the entire floodplain of
120-417: A magnitude 8.6 earthquake and tsunami struck the coast of Iwate. On 14 November 1230, volcanic activity was reported. On 2 December 1611, a magnitude 8.1 earthquake and tsunami were reported to have killed over 3,000 horses and people. In 1662 Morioka and its suburbs were hit by a large flood leaving 1,000 dead. Volcanic activity was reported on Mt. Iwate on 23 March 1686 and 14 April 1687. In 1700,
180-540: A 'ghost' or the 'soul of the dead'. On the other hand, the Japanese dictionary Wamyō Ruijushō ( 和名類聚抄 ) written in Japan in the 10th century explained the origin of the word oni as a corruption of on/onu ( 隠 ) , meaning 'to hide'. The dictionary explained that oni is hidden and does not want to reveal itself. When the character for 鬼 was first introduced to Japan, it was pronounced as ki ( キ ) in
240-556: A campaign of burning crops and kidnapping the Emishi women and children and relocating them to Western Japan was adopted. Many a stout warrior gave up the fight to join his family again. In 801, Sakanoue no Tamuramaro began a new campaign against the Isawa Emishi having moderate success. Finally on 15 April 802 the Emishi leaders More and Aterui surrendered with some 500 warriors. The captives were taken to Kyoto for an audience with
300-576: A charm made of holly leaves and dried sardine heads are used as a guard against oni. There is also a well-known game in Japan called oni gokko ( 鬼ごっこ ) , which is the same as the game of tag that children in the Western world play. The player who is "it" is instead called the "oni". Oni are featured in Japanese children's stories such as Momotarō ( Peach Boy ), Issun-bōshi , and Kobutori Jīsan . In more recent times, oni have lost some of their original wickedness and sometimes take on
360-466: A cholera outbreak in Kamaishi left 302 dead and warnings about drinking water were posted throughout the prefecture. In April 1884, there was another outbreak of cholera in Kamaishi. In September 1886, cholera outbreaks throughout Iwate left 312 dead. On 15 June 1896, at 7:32 am, a magnitude 8.5 earthquake struck offshore. The ensuing tsunami sent waves onto the coast of Iwate at Yoshihama, in what
420-648: A large number of burial pits from the Middle Jōmon Period (2,800–1,900 BC) have been found in Nishida. Various sites from the Late Jōmon Period (1,900–1,300 BC) including Tateishi, Makumae and Hatten contain clay figurines, masks and ear and nose shaped clay artifacts. The Kunenbashi site in Kitakami City has yielded stone "swords", tablets and tools as well as clay figurines, earrings and potsherds from
480-467: A major decline to only 7,220 births from October 2018 to September 2019. This is in contrast to the 17,681 deaths recorded during the same period. Finally, Iwate has a net negative migration rate (-2.8) with 21,265 permanently leaving the prefecture and 16,795 entering. The web site of the Iwate prefecture provides the summarized biographies of 'Famous Iwate people' in Japanese and English. On 13 July 869,
540-489: A more protective function. Men in oni costumes often lead Japanese parades to dispel any bad luck, for example. Japanese buildings sometimes include oni-faced roof tiles called onigawara ( 鬼瓦 ) , which are thought to ward away bad luck, much like gargoyles in Western tradition. Many Japanese idioms and proverbs also make reference to oni. For example, the expression "Oya ni ninu ko wa oni no ko" ( 親に似ぬ子は鬼の子 ) (Translation: "A child that does not resemble its parents
600-451: A population of 1,180,595. Consistent with population trends across Japan , Iwate has experienced a slow, but steady decline in growth since the end of World War II with a major contributing factor being an aging population. As of October 2019, 33.1% of the population was over 65 with 15.4% aged between 65 and 74 and 17.7% over 75. Moreover, the 1950 census saw the most births in the prefecture with 45,968 reported, but since then there has been
660-604: A strong wrestler. This custom began with the aristocratic and samurai classes in the Muromachi period (1336–1573). According to the Ainōshō (壒嚢鈔), a dictionary compiled in the Muromachi period, the origin of this custom is a legend from the 10th century during the reign of Emperor Uda . According to the legend, a monk on Mount Kurama threw roasted beans into the eyes of oni to make them flinch and flee. Another theory
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#1732788081743720-479: A third eye in the center of the forehead. They are typically depicted with red, blue, black, or yellow colored skin, wearing loincloths of tiger pelt , and carrying iron kanabō clubs. They also have three to six digits on each hand and foot tipped with claw-like nails. Oni are able to change their looks to fool their victims into trusting them. Oni can be male or female, but have been predominantly male throughout history. Female oni are sometimes referred to by
780-678: A tsunami from the 1700 Cascadia earthquake struck Iwate Prefecture. No records from North America exist, but the event was reconstructed using Japanese records. On 13 May 1717, The Hanamaki area was struck with a magnitude 7.6 earthquake opening cracks in the ground everywhere. There was also widespread destruction of houses and shops. In Nanbu-han alone, 49,594 people starved to death in the famine of 1755. Severe famines continue from 1783 to 1787 and again from 1832 to 1838. Cholera outbreaks occurred in August 1879, in Miyako and Kuji. In July 1882,
840-414: A wicked soul beyond rehabilitation transforms into an oni after death. Only the very worst people turn into oni while alive, and these are the oni causing troubles among humans as presented in folk tales. Some scholars have even argued that the oni was entirely a concept of Buddhist mythology. Oni bring calamities to the land, bringing about war, plague/illness, earthquakes, and eclipses. They have
900-533: Is a kind of yōkai , demon , orc , ogre , or troll in Japanese folklore . They are believed to live in caves or deep in the mountains. Oni are known for their superhuman strength and have been associated with powers like thunder and lightning, along with their evil nature manifesting in their propensity for murder and cannibalism . They are typically portrayed as hulking figures with one or more horns growing out of their heads, massive teeth, and occasionally
960-411: Is called " onihitokuchi ". In Nihon Ryōiki , The Tales of Ise and Konjaku Monogatarishū , for example, a woman is shown being eaten in one mouthful by a oni . There is the theory that the reason why stories of onihitokuchi were common is that wars, disasters, and famines where people lose their lives or go missing were interpreted as oni from another world appearing in
1020-631: Is characterized by the Kitakami River which flows from north to south between the Ōu and Kitakami mountain ranges. It is the fourth longest river in Japan and the longest in Tōhoku. The basin of the Kitakami is large and fertile providing room for the prefecture's largest cities, industrial parks and farms. In the past Iwate has been famous for its mineral wealth especially in the form of gold, iron, coal and sulfur but these are no longer produced. There
1080-425: Is now Sanriku town, reaching 24 metres (79 ft) in height. 18,158 people died in Iwate alone while some 10,000 homes were destroyed. Fishermen fishing the ocean about 20 miles (32 km) offshore felt nothing, then returning home the next morning found the shore littered with their homes and the bodies of their loved ones. In September 1899, dysentery spread throughout the prefecture killing 2,070 people. There
1140-449: Is still an abundance of hot water for onsen, or hot springs, which is the basis of a thriving industry. The forests of the prefecture are another valuable resource. Before World War II the forests were mainly composed of beech but since then there has been a huge swing towards the production of faster growing Japanese cedar. Recently, though, there has been a push to restore the original beech forests in some areas. As of 31 March 2019, 5% of
1200-490: Is that the origin of this custom lies in the word 豆 ( mame ) , which means bean. The explanation is that in Japanese, まめ, マメ ( mame ) can also be written as 魔目 ( mame ) , meaning the devil's eye, or 魔滅 ( mametsu ) , meaning to destroy the devil. During the Edo period (1603–1867), the custom spread to Shinto shrines , Buddhist temples and the general public. Regionally around Tottori Prefecture during this season,
1260-423: Is the child of an oni.") may be used by a parent to chastise a misbehaving child. They can be used in stories to frighten children into obeying because of their grotesque appearance, savage demeanor, as well as how they can eat people in a single gulp. The oni remains a very popular motif in Japanese popular culture. Their varied modern depiction sometimes relies on just one or two distinctive features which mark
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#17327880817431320-726: Is the fifth worst earthquake in Japan since 1923. Small explosions shook Mt. Iwate throughout 1934 and 1935. In August 1957, there was volcanic activity on Mt. Kurikoma. There was volcanic activity on Mt. Akita-Komagatake from September to December 1970 with lava flows visible from Morioka. In 2003, earthquakes struck on 26 May (M7.0 off the coast of Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture), 25 July (three jolts of M5.5, 6.2 and 5.3 in southern Iwate) and 26 September (M8.3 in Hokkaido but strongly felt in Iwate). Oni (folklore) An oni ( 鬼 （ おに ） ) ( / oʊ n i / OH -nee )
1380-595: The on'yomi reading. The character 鬼 has changed over time in Japan to become its own entity, and there are significant differences between the Japanese oni ( 鬼 ) and the Chinese guǐ (鬼). The Chinese guǐ generally refers to the disembodied spirits of the dead and are not necessarily evil. They usually reside in the underworld, but those with a grudge sometimes appear in the human world to haunt, and Taoist priests and others have used their supernatural powers to exterminate them. Japanese oni ( 鬼 ) , on
1440-656: The Ou Mountains and Mutsu Province. In 729 Kokuseki-ji Temple was founded in what is now Mizusawa Ward, Oshu City by the itinerant priest Gyōki . Little is known about relations between these Japanese frontiersmen and the native Emishi but in 776 they took a turn for the worse when large forces of the Yamato army invaded Iwate attacking the Isawa and Shiwa tribes in February and November of that year. More fighting occurred
1500-405: The kimon was also known as the ushitora (丑寅), or " Ox Tiger " direction. One hypothesis is that the oni ' s bovine horns and tiger-skin loincloth developed as a visual depiction of this term. Temples are often built facing that direction, for example, Enryaku-ji was deliberately built on Mount Hiei which was in the kimon (northeasterly) direction from Kyoto in order to guard
1560-408: The "Male-who-invites") and Izanami (イザナミ, meaning "She-who-invites" or the "Female-who-invites"). These two were brother and sister. They also are married and had many children, one of them being Kagutsuchi (カグツチ, Fire). Upon birth, Kagutsuchi mortally wounded Izanami, who went to Yomi (黄泉, 黄泉の国, World of Darkness) on her death and was transformed into a Kami of death. Izanami, who gave life in
1620-572: The 14th century in various arts, traditional performing arts and literature such as emakimono , jōruri , noh , kabuki , bunraku , and ukiyo-e . The tachi (Japanese long sword) " Dōjigiri " with which Minamoto no Yorimitsu decapitated Shuten-dōji' in the legend is now designated as a National Treasure and one of the Tenka-Goken (Five Greatest Swords Under Heaven). They are popular characters in Japanese art , literature , and theater and appear as stock villains in
1680-539: The Final Jōmon Period (1,300–300 BC). The earliest mention of a Japanese presence dates to about 630 when the Hakusan Shrine was said to have been built on Mt. Kanzan in what is now Hiraizumi. At this time various Japanese traders, hunters, adventurers, priests and criminals made their way to Iwate. In 712 the province of Mutsu , containing all of Tōhoku , was divided into Dewa Province , the area west of
1740-565: The Heian period. In Konjaku Monogatarishū ( 今昔物語集 ) , the character for 鬼 is read as mono . It was not until the end of the Heian period that the reading of oni for the character 鬼 became almost universal. Particularly powerful oni may be described as kishin or kijin (literally "oni god"; the "ki" is an alternate character reading of "oni"), a term used in Japanese Buddhism to refer to Wrathful Deities . The oni
1800-605: The beginning of the Meiji Restoration. Iwate faces the Pacific Ocean to the east with sheer, rocky cliffs along most of the shoreline interrupted by a few sandy beaches. The border with Akita Prefecture on the west is generally formed by the highest points of the Ōu Mountains . Aomori Prefecture is to the north and Miyagi Prefecture is to the south. The Ōu mountains on the west still contain active volcanoes such as Mt. Iwate (at 2,038 metres (6,686 ft)
1860-730: The border with Akita Prefecture. Iwate Prefecture is home to famous attractions such as Morioka Castle , the Buddhist temples of Hiraizumi including Chūson-ji and Mōtsū-ji , the Fujiwara no Sato movie lot and theme park in Ōshū, and the Tenshochi park in Kitakami known for its huge, ancient cherry trees . Iwate has the lowest population density of any prefecture outside Hokkaido , 5% of its total land area having been designated as National Parks . There are several theories about
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1920-495: The capital, and similarly Kan'ei-ji was built towards that direction from Edo Castle . However, skeptics doubt this could have been the initial design of Enryaku-ji temple, since the temple was founded in 788, six years before Kyoto even existed as a capital, and if the ruling class were so feng shui -minded, the subsequent northeasterly move of the capital from Nagaoka-kyō to Kyoto would have certainly been taboo. Japanese buildings may sometimes have L-shaped indentations at
1980-492: The course of the river for about half of its length. The Miyamori enters just north of Tase Dam. Iwate Prefecture Iwate Prefecture ( 岩手県 , Iwate-ken ) is a prefecture of Japan located in the Tōhoku region of Honshu . It is the second-largest Japanese prefecture at 15,275 square kilometres (5,898 sq mi), with a population of 1,165,886 (as of July 1, 2023). Iwate Prefecture borders Aomori Prefecture to
2040-505: The dead. The Izumo no Kuni Fudoki , whose compilation began in 713, tells the story of a one-eyed oni who ate a man. Nihon Shoki , completed in 720, tells of a hat ( kasa ) -wearing oni watching the funeral of Emperor Saimei from the top of Mount Asakura. The character for 鬼 is believed to have been read as oni when the Nihon Shoki was completed, and was also read as kami , mono , and shiko in
2100-538: The destructive power of lightning and thunder, which terrifies people through their auditory and visual effects. Most Japanese folklore come from the Kojiki (古事記, "Records of Ancient Matters" or "An Account of Ancient Matters") and Nihongi (日本紀, "Japanese Chronicles"). These stories are the history and development of Japan in ancient times. At the beginning of time and space, Takamagahara (高天原, "Plane of High Heaven" or "High Plane of Heaven") came into being, along with
2160-633: The devil was immediately shackled to these rocks and forced to make a promise never to trouble the people again. As a seal of his oath, the devil made a handprint on one of the rocks, thus giving rise to the name Iwate, its direct translation being "rock hand". Even now after a rainfall, it is said that the devil's hand print can still be seen there. There are many present-day cultural foods popularly eaten in Iwate Prefecture, some of which include walnuts , wanko soba (meaning "bowl noodles") and hittsumi-jiru (meaning "pull and tear", in reference to
2220-502: The emperor and beheaded at Moriyama in Kawachi Province against the wishes of General Sakanoue. This act of cruelty enraged the Emishi leading to another twenty or more years of fighting. After the surrender numerous forts were built on the Chinese model along the Kitakami River. In 802, Fort Isawa was built in what is now Mizusawa Ward, Oshu City, in 803, Fort Shiwa was built in what is now Morioka City, and in 812 Fort Tokutan
2280-458: The entire island of Honshū was claimed by the Japanese, or Yamato, government from earliest times, the imperial forces were unable to occupy any part of what would become Iwate until 802 when two powerful Emishi leaders, Aterui and More, surrendered at Fort Isawa. The area now known as Iwate Prefecture was inhabited by the Jōmon people who left their artifacts throughout the prefecture. For example,
2340-475: The highest point in the prefecture) and Mt. Kurikoma (1,627 metres (5,338 ft)). But the Kitakami Mountains running through the middle of the prefecture from north to south are much older and have not been active for thousands of years. Mt. Hayachine (1,917 metres (6,289 ft)) lies at the heart of the Kitakami range. Besides these two mountain ranges and the rugged coastline, the prefecture
2400-461: The largest tributary. Japan National Route 283 parallels the course of this river and has views of the area, especially in the higher elevations. The Rainai forms just north of Warabi Pass and empties into the Sarugaishi River near the mouth of the Hayase. The Rainai is dammed in two places for Tono's drinking water supply. The Yamaya forms in the area of Ko Pass. Japan National Route 396 follows
2460-490: The name Yamauba . When in disguise, oni are capable of appearing as a man or woman, regardless of their gender. As monstrous as oni are, they have been linked to bringing good fortune and wealth. During the Heian period (794–1185), oni were often depicted in Japanese literature , such as setsuwa , as terrifying monsters that ate people. A prominent depiction of oni is that they eat people in one mouthful, which
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2520-621: The next and following years but mostly in Dewa and the area south of present-day Iwate prefecture. This situation continued until March 787 when the Yamato army suffered a disastrous defeat in the Battle of Sufuse Village in what is now Mizusawa Ward, Oshu City. There the Emishi leaders and Aterui leading a large cavalry force trapped the Yamato infantry and pushed them into the Kitakami River where their heavy armour proved deadly. Over 1,000 soldiers drowned that day. The Japanese general Ki no Asami Kosami
2580-766: The north of the Igirisu Coast of the Kitakami. The Doku-gawa and the Tozenji-gawa join the Sarugaishi in Tsukimoushi. The Kogarase-gawa is a large tributary that forms near Tachimaru Pass and joins the Sarugaishi in Matsuzaki. Japan National Route 340 follows along this scenic river for most of its length. The Hayase begins in the region of Sennin Pass and empties into the Sarugaishi in downtown Tōno as
2640-470: The north, Akita Prefecture to the west, and Miyagi Prefecture to the south. Morioka is the capital and largest city of Iwate Prefecture; other major cities include Ichinoseki , Ōshū , and Hanamaki . Located on Japan's Pacific Ocean coast, Iwate Prefecture features the easternmost point of Honshu at Cape Todo , and shares the highest peaks of the Ōu Mountains —the longest mountain range in Japan—at
2700-507: The northeast to ward against oni. For example, the walls surrounding the Kyoto Imperial Palace have notched corners in that direction. The traditional bean-throwing custom to drive out oni is practiced during Setsubun festival in February. It involves people casting roasted soybeans indoors or out of their homes and shouting " Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi! " ( "鬼は外！福は内！" , "Oni go out! Blessings come in!") , preferably by
2760-527: The origin of the name "Iwate", but the most well known is the tale Oni no tegata , which is associated with the Mitsuishi or "Three Rocks" Shrine in Morioka. These rocks are said to have been thrown down into Morioka by an eruption of Mt. Iwate. 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,
2820-431: The other hand, are evil beings that have substance, live in certain places in the human world, such as mountains, have red or blue bodies with horns and fangs, are armed with kanabō (metal clubs) , and can be physically killed by cutting with Japanese swords . The Izumo no Kuni Fudoki ( 出雲国風土記 ) and Nihon Shoki ( 日本書紀 ) are the earliest written examples of oni as entities rather than soul of
2880-406: The physical world, continued to do so in the underworld, ultimately creating the very first oni. According to Chinese Taoism and esoteric Onmyōdō , the ways of yin and yang , the northeasterly direction is termed the kimon ( 鬼門 , "demon gate") and considered an unlucky direction through which evil spirits passed. Based on the assignment of the twelve zodiac animals to the cardinal directions,
2940-432: The present world who take away humans. It was not until the legend of Shuten-dōji was created that the oni began to be depicted in paintings, and the 14th century Ōeyama ekotoba ( 大江山絵詞 ) is the oldest surviving emakimono (picture scroll) depicting Shuten-dōji . Shuten-dōji has been regarded as the most famous and strongest oni in Japan. The legend of Shuten-dōji has been described since
3000-593: The river in Tōno was once a large lake dammed by the hills in Miyamori. From its headwaters in Hayachine Quasi-National Park near Mt. Yakushi the Sarugaishi River flows directly south through the Tsukimoushi section of the city of Tōno. In Matsuzaki the river makes a slow and gentle bend to the west and flows west-southwest through Ayaori. In Miyamori the Sarugaishi encounters large hills that force
3060-524: The river into a steep and winding canyon which continues into Hanamaki where the Tase Dam impounds the water. Lake Tase bends back to the north with the outflow of the dam directed eastward. The river then bends back around to flow west-northwest to Towa then winds in a series of loops generally westward before turning directly north and entering the Kitakami River opposite the mouth of the Segawa and just to
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#17327880817433120-702: The three divine beings Amenominakanushi (天之御中主, The Central Master or "Lord of the August Center of Heaven"), Takamimusubi (高御産巣日神, "High Creator"), and Kamimusubi (神産巣日, The Divine Creator). These three divine beings were known as Kami , and the three together are sometimes referred to as Kotoamatsukami (別天神, literally "distinguishing heavenly kami"). They manifested the entire universe. They were later joined by two more Kami, Umashiashikabihikoji (宇摩志阿斯訶備比古遅神, Energy) and Amenotokotachi (天之常立神, Heaven). Finally, two lesser Kami were made to establish earth, Izanagi (イザナギ/伊邪那岐/伊弉諾, meaning "He-who-invites" or
3180-492: The total land area of the prefecture was designated as Natural Parks , namely Towada-Hachimantai and Sanriku Fukkō National Parks; Kurikoma and Hayachine Quasi-National Parks; and Goyōzan , Hanamaki Onsenkyō , Kuji-Hiraniwa , Murone Kōgen , Oritsume Basenkyō , Sotoyama-Hayasaka Heights , and Yuda Onsenkyō Prefectural Natural Parks. Fourteen cities are located in Iwate Prefecture: These are
3240-451: The towns and villages in each district : Iwate's industry is concentrated around Morioka and specializes in semiconductor and communications manufacturing. As of March 2011, the prefecture produced 3.9% of Japan's beef and 14.4% of broiler chickens. In 2009, 866 tons of dolphins and whales were harvested off the coast of Iwate, accounting for more than half of Japan's total catch of 1,404 tons. As of October 1, 2022, Iwate Prefecture had
3300-469: The way the dough is pulled and torn into oval shapes before being turned into noodles). Iwate's prefectural capital Morioka is also popular for its apples, blooming in May and ready for harvest from September to November. Japanese poet Matsuo Bashō visited Iwate and wrote about it in the journey described in his major work Oku no Hosomichi . He was especially inspired by the town of Hiraizumi . While
3360-494: The well-known fairytales of Momotarō ( Peach Boy ), Issun-bōshi , and Kobutori Jīsan . Although oni have been described as frightening creatures, they have become tamer in modern culture as people tell less frightening stories about them like Oni Mask and Red Oni Who Cried . Oni , written in kanji as 鬼, is read in China as guǐ ( pinyin ) , meaning something invisible, formless, or unworldly, in other words,
3420-468: Was syncretized with Hindu - Buddhist creatures such as the man-devouring yaksha and the rakshasa , and became the oni who tormented sinners as wardens of Hell ( Jigoku ), administering sentences passed down by Hell's magistrate, King Yama (Enma Daiō). The hungry ghosts called gaki (餓鬼) have also been sometimes considered a type of oni (the Kanji for "ki" 鬼 is also read "oni"). Accordingly,
3480-463: Was "rebuked" by the Emperor Kanmu when he returned to Kyoto. Since the Japanese could not win on the battlefield they resorted to other means to conquer the Emishi. Trade for superior quality iron wares and sake made the Emishi dependent on the Japanese for these valuable goods. Bribes were offered to the Emishi leaders in the form of Japanese citizenship and rank if they would defect. Finally
3540-548: Was a widespread crop failure due to violent storms in September 1902. Only 32,900 tons of rice were produced in Iwate, just 30% of the previous year's harvest. In 1905, there was again a massive crop failure due to heavy rain and cold leading to famine in 1906. People were reduced to eating straw, acorns and roots. In 1919, a small eruption occurred at Nishi-Iwate. On 3 March 1933, a magnitude 8.1 earthquake struck offshore killing 3,008 people and destroying 7,479 homes. This
3600-693: Was built also in Morioka. In the latter part of the Heian period , the town of Hiraizumi in what is now southern Iwate became the capital of the Northern Fujiwara . The warrior Minamoto no Yoshitsune fled here after the Genpei War . Until the Meiji Restoration , the area of Iwate prefecture was part of Mutsu Province . Iwate Prefecture was created in 1876, in the aftermath of the Boshin Civil War , which heralded
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