PLACE OF VALUE 価値の在り処

Higashi-Awakura is a mountainous village long associated with the Shugendo religious tradition. In the 7th century, the ascetic En-no-ozunu is said to have established the Shugendo tradition after climbing Mt. Ushiro, the tallest mountain in Okayama (1,344 m). Even today, the inner realm of the temple grounds here is considered off-limits to women. Each year, a grand ritual bonfire is held on September 7-8 to mark the anniversary of En-no-ozunu's death, when Shugendo followers from across the country gather to chant the Heart Sutra, shake ceremonial staffs, and blow conch shell horns that echo across the mountain valleys.

Higashi-Awakura also has a history of traditional tatara steel-making. Between the 17th and 19th centuries, more than 80% of Japan's steel was produced in the Chugoku region of western Honshu. Production also flourished in the neighboring villages of Nishi-Awakura and Chikusa. Today, slag created in the steelmaking process can still be found across Higashi-Awakura. The terraced fields that enrich the scenery of Higashi-Awakura sit atop gently sloping topography that was formed in the process of extracting iron sand for steelmaking.

The Hayashi Family Residence, a national designated important cultural property, was established by Kiso Jiro-Zaemon Minamoto Motofusa, who was born in Kiso Fukushima in modern-day Nagano Prefecture. When Motofusa was 31 years old, he was summoned by Ishida Mitsunari to fight in the Battle of Sekigahara, but fled to this area and settled here after their defeat. Motofusa extracted iron sand on a large scale, cultivated the land, and became known as a rich farmer. After the age of 60, he built a residence not unlike a wartime mountain castle on 5,300 square meters of land. This was some 400 years before today.

Records tell us that the Hayashi Residence was one of numerous Shugendo lodges in early modern times, and that Motofusa's fortune was made through iron sand production, but details are sparse. We will document and preserve stone artifacts connected to Shugendo, as well as to preserve the terraced fields formed as a result of iron sand extraction. We wish to preserve the terraced fields formed as a result of iron sand extraction.

Where were the 12 lodges located? How widely was iron sand extraction practiced? What was the original lay of the land? Were Shugendo followers engaged in iron sand extraction, and how were religious practice and industry connected? What did Motofusa think while living on this land? What is the significance of Shugendo in contemporary society?—we have no shortage of questions.

The Hayashi Residence is now named as Awakura, a hub facility for learning about and connecting with Higashiawakura. Together with the people of this area, we will envision the future of the community.

Creative Heritage Organization(HERITA)