Kumano Faith / Kumano Kodo / Hangan Oguri / Yunomine Hot Spring, Hangan Oguri Healed by the Waters / High Priest Ippen

The Legend of Hangan Oguri

Text: Norio Yasui, Owner, Oguriya Guesthouse, Hongu Storytellers Circle
Photos: Hongu Tourism Association


Healed by the Tsuboyu Waters of Yunomine, Hangan Oguri
 A long time ago, the Oguri clan built a castle in Hitachi (present-day Kyowa, Makabe-gun, Ibaraki). According to "Kamakura Daizoshi", Oguri allied with Uesugi when Shuzen Uesugi rebelled some 600 years ago (1415) in Kanto, only to be defeated by Mochiuji Ashikaga. Mitsushige, Lord of Oguri Castle, and his son Sukeshige (Hangan Oguri) fled for Migawa where the Oguri clan lived. While hiding in Sugami, Oguri was poisoned by thieves at Gongen-do Temple. However, he was saved by a maiden named Terute. He then fled to Fujisawa on an unbroken horse where he was aided by the Priest Yugyo. Later, Oguri became ill, but with the guidance of Yugyo and the sympathy of many including Terute, he made a pilgrimage to Kumano where the protection of the avatars and the healing waters of Yunomine nursed him back to health. Oguri was the 15th Lord of the Oguri Castle, but was ultimately killed in battle against Nariuji Ashikaga.
It is believed that a shrine maiden from Oguri' s home country of Hitachi created the heroic epic to console the spirit of the ruined Oguri clan. From historical fact, the story became legend and was ultimately told time and time again.


Historical Sites Associated with Hangan Oguri

"Makazu-no-Ine (Unplanted Rice)"
Get off the bus in front of the Iseya and Azumaya inns and the follow the rise keeping the hot well and Tsuboyu bath on the right. At the top of the rise, take a left down the narrow path. Shortly after, you will discover the sign in the below photo.

"Lifting Stones"
These round lifting stones (right of monument in photo) sit on a stone wall along the right side of the path beyond Makazu-no-Ine (Unplanted Rice). They were used to test one' s strength.

Land of Hangan Oguri's Resurrection - Yunomine Hot Spring

Yunomine Hot Spring is known as one of the oldest hot springs in Japan, a cleansing spot along the pilgrimage to Kumano and where Hangan Oguri healed himself. These natural springs are a hot 93 degree when they come out the ground and the therapeutic effect has been reveled for years. Since the springs rise to the surface without boring, it is academically a rare source of water.

Slightly off the Nakahe-ji Way that takes you through Hongu, Shingu and Nachi is Yunomine-Oji, one of the 99 Shrines of Kumano. Every April 13, the Yunobori Shinto Ritual (Intangible Cultural Property of Wakayama Prefecture) is performed as part of celebrations at Kumano Hongu Grand Shrine. The ritual begins with a procession of Shinto priests, religious leaders and children in festive costumes that winds its way to Yunomine where they immerse and cleanse themselves in the springs, then eat a specially prepared gruel of rice. The children then perform Yahagi dance at Yunomine-Oji. The return trip takes the Dainichi Trail to Tsukigaoka Shrine where the same ritual is performed. The procession then passes through the original site of Hongu Grand Shrine and eventually makes it back to the starting point.


In the foreground is a hot well where eggs and vegetables are boiled in the 93 degree springs. In the background is the Tsuboyu bath. This is a very popular area in Yunomine.


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