英 語 版

Medieval Scenery− A Legacy for the Future −Historic Site

Honederamura Shōen Iseki

Important
CulturalLandscapeThe rural landscape of
Ichinoseki Hondera

Preserving the traditional Japanese rural landscape for the future

Here was once an estate called“Honederamura”

Honederamura is surrounded by mountains and features a wide expanse ofwinding waterways and rice paddies of irregular shapes,
with houses shielded from the wind by small groves interspersed throughout,and shrines erected at key locations.

Long ago, the Hondera area in Genbichō, Ichinoseki City,

The sight of the village, with its clever use of the workings of nature is a fine

was a shōen (estate) called “Honederamura”,

example of a tranquil Japanese landscape.

belonging to the bettō (steward) of the sutra repository of Chūson-ji temple.
Today, so many of these beautiful sights, once common throughout Japan,
The four boundaries of Honederamura were clearly defined inare disappearing one by one. Therefore, Honederamura, the site of an estate

the “Azuma Kagami,” a historical text from the Kamakura period.

associated with the Ōshū Fujiwara clan, is an irreplaceable heritage site

The appearance of the village in medieval times can be seen in the old texts

preserving the traditional Japanese rural landscape.

and the two “Illustrations of Honederamura of the Mutsu Province”
preserved at Chūson-ji.

2Golden rice plants and the Wakamiko Shrine

3History

The beginning of Honederamura belonging
to Chūson-ji

were drawn up in the late Kamakura period as a means for settling these disputes.
Upon entering the Edo period, the province came under direct control of the Sendai fief, and remained
so until the Meiji restoration. It is said that the name Honedera became corrupted into Hondera during thistime.

The origins of Honederamura

Chūson-ji sutra repository and Honederamura Shōen
It was the 12th century. The lord Fujiwara no Kiyohira, wishing to create a country based on the ideal of
the Pure Land of Buddhism, appointed the monk Jizaibō Renkō, who had distinguished himself through thecompletion of the “Issai-kyō Sutra written in gold and silver on dark blue paper,” as the first steward of the
Chūson-ji sutra repository. Renkō then offered Honederamura, his private territory, as a means of support
for the sutra repository. The village was approved by Kiyohira as ashōen (estate) to provide the funds for the maintenance of therepository. This marks the beginning of Honederamura under the
steward of the Chūson-ji sutra repository.
Thereafter, Honederamura was controlled by the steward of therepository until the Muromachi period, in the 15th century, subject torepeated disputes with the Kasai clan, who had become the lords ofthe province after the demise of the Fujiwara clan. It is speculated
that the two “Illustrations of Honederamura of the Mutsu Province” The First Sutra Repository Steward, Jizaibō

The illustrations contain the descriptions “Honedera ruins” and “Honedera-dō ruins”, and depict what
may be the cornerstones of buildings. This tells us that there used to be a temple here called Honedera, andthat it was in ruins near the end of the Kamakura period, when the illustrations were drawn. Today, the siteof the temple has not been confirmed, but it is thought that the name of the temple became the name of thevillage.*“Honedera” is an unusual name, and it is said that it was a place for storing the bones of the dead, orthat it was an ossuary for people associated with Honedera.

* The Skull Legend
In the “Senjusho,” a compilation of Buddhist tales, there is a story about a young woman from Hiraizumi who learned theLotus Sutra from a talking skull in the attic. At the skull’s behest, she then buried the skull at Mt. Sakashiba. The lore of
Hondera has it that this skull belonged to the monk Ryōgen (Jie Daishi), who was the 18th abbot of Enryaku-ji temple on Mt.
Hiei, and that the place where it was buried became Jiezuka.
This story is also said to be the origin of the name Honederamura.

Renkō, Chūson-ji Temple Collection

Zaika Ezu (Household Map) (Detailed Illustration),
Chūson-ji Temple Collection

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Busshin Ezu (Shrine and Temples Map) (Simplified
Illustration), Chūson-ji Temple Collection

In the illustrations, the boundaries of the area belonging to the repository is laid out, with Kagikake in the east,
Sannō no Iwaya in the west, Iwai river in the south, and Mitake-dō in the north. Similar descriptions can befound in the historic text “Azuma Kagami.”

Aerial Photograph (1998)

Aerial Photograph (1947)5

Illustrations

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W

S

Front (western mountains)N

A horizontal view of the west side. The reason for depicting
the far-away Komagata mountains (Mt. Kurikoma, Sukawadake)is that these mountains played an important role in the life of
the village.

Comparison of Medieval Times and TodayThe Illustrations of Honederamura show theboundaries of the village, and convey the atmospherewith its realistic depiction of the fields and houses.
There are currently about 40 well-known shōen
illustrations in Japan, but none are as realistic as theillustrations of Honederamura.
Looking at the illustrations while strolling throughthe landscape takes one back to the shōen of medieval
times.

North SideThe continuous mountain range is depicted as viewed from thesouth. The mountain ridge is drawn in thick lines to mark thenorthern boundary of Honederamura Shōen. This illustration
was drawn to confirm the boundaries of the estate.

South SideThe southern mountains are depicted in less detail than thenorthern ones because they lie outside the village. The Iwai
river marks the boundary of the estate, and only someone
well-versed in local geography could have depicted the swift
currents of the river.

E

W

S

N

E

W

S

N

East Side
Although the northern and southern mountains converge intoa narrow valley in reality, the illustration shows an unbroken
line of mountains. Also, it is thought that the old road runningalong the cliffs of the Iwai river was too dangerous, prompting
the construction of the “Masaka Shin-Michi” (“Masaka newroad”).

The Plains
Shown from above, the illustration depicts scattered groups ofrice paddies and nearby houses. These sets of houses andfields are called “tayashiki” in old historical texts. Some of thenames of these tayashiki have been passed down until today.

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Zaike Ezu (Household Map) (Detailed Illustration),
Chūson-ji Temple Collection

W

S

N
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Honederamura Shōen Iseki andthe rural landscapeLandscape Planning Area and Important Cultural Landscape
In addition to being designated as a historic site, the rice paddies, residences and surrounding land of the
Hondera area is designated as a “landscape planning area” in accordance with the Landscape Act, and thecentral portion has been designated an “important cultural landscape” under the Cultural Properties
Protection Act. The landscape is thus assured triple protection in addition to being a national historic site.
This shows that the rural landscape of the Hondera
area, which retains its medieval appearance, is recognized
as an irreplaceable cultural treasure.

National Historic Site
In Honederamura, which is now “Honederamura Shōen Iseki” in the Hondera area of Ichinoseki City,
there are many remnants of shrines and temples depicted in the Important Cultural Property “Illustrations ofHonederamura of the Mutsu Province.” The medieval landscape is well-preserved overall, letting one
experience the world depicted in the illustrations for real. Due to this reputation, nine locations including
shrines and caves that could be identified from the maps were designated as the National Historic Site
“Honederamura Shōen Iseki” in March, 2005.

To Mt. Kurikoma
To Ōshū City,
Koromogawa Ward

W Sannō no Iwaya⑨●

Sannō no Iwaya

Yabitsu dam

Honederamura Shōen
Sannō no Iwaya Parking Lot

N Mitake-dō Masaka⑥ Denmitake-dō Site
●
⑦
●

342

Umenokida Site

Honederamura Shōen
Wakaihara Parking Lot

Honederamura Shōen Square
Komagatane Shrine ●⑧
Hakusan Shrine

Hondera〒 Post Office

Honederamura Shōen
Kyūkeijo-mae

Tōnishi Site

⑤
●

④
●

Yōgaidate Site

Honederamura Shōen
Rest House
Komagata

Hondera river③●

Tsuka Wakamiko Shrine

Honederamura Shōen
Guidance Center

LegendArea designated as Important Cultural Landscape 344.2ha

Fudō no Iwaya②●

To Ichinoseki City

JiezukaWorship Hall

Shimomasaka①●

E Kagikake

Iwai river

Landscape Planning Area 761.0ha
Area designated as a Historic Site 48.8ha

S Iwai river

Boundaries of the medieval Honederamura described in
the “Azuma Kagami” (four sides)
Facilities Installed by the city
Bus stop

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To Kurihara City,
Miyagi Prefecture05001000 m9

Historic Site

Honederamura Shōen Iseki
Explanation of the Site
① Jiezuka, Worship hall
The eastern point of the mountain range on the north side of the Hondera area is called Mt. Sakashiba, at
the top of which Jiezuka (Jie mound) is located. The burial mound measures 10m in diameter, and is surrounded by a moat and earthwork. A stone shrine erected in the Edo period can also be seen.
The worship hall located at the skirts of the mountain venerates Jie Daishi.
② Fudō no Iwaya
This cave is located on the mountainside west of Jiezuka, and is depicted in the illustrations ofHonederamura. The cave is 3m in height and 13m in depth, and is thought to have been a place of training
for young monks.
③ Wakamiko Shrine
This shrine is depicted in the illustrations of Honederamura, and is still present in the eastern fields.
According to ethnologic research of the name (“miko” meaning a shrine maiden or medium), the shrine issaid to venerate the guardian spirit of the medium who used to invoke the spirits of the departed and transmit their voices to the living.
④ Yōgaidate (Fortress) Site
This mountain fort from the Sengoku period lies in the northern mountains, and is said to have been theresidence of Hondera Jūrōzaemon. The remains of the fortress mark the end of the shōen.
⑤ Tōnishi Site
Excavations have revealed the remains of a leveled surface and a structure with earth fast posts. Pottery
from the 12th and 13th century has been discovered, thought to be a remnant of life in the time of the shōen.

⑥ Denmitake-dō Site
Near the western peak of the northern mountains lies the place
known as Mitake-dō, commanding a view of Mt. Sannō to the west,
and overlooking the plains below. The place is thought to have been asacred mountain. It is depicted in the illustrations, and marked thenorthern boundary of the village.
⑦ Umenokida Site
The remains of a large building with postholes and column spacing were excavated. This large building may have been important to
the running of the village.
⑧ Komagatane Shrine, Hakusan Shrine
Komagatane Shrine venerates “Komagata” and “Komagatane” (Mt.
Kurikoma, Sukawadake) depicted at the west edge of the illustration.
Thought to correspond to “Rokusho no Miya,” also depicted in theillustration.
Hakusan Shrine was a place of worship for the deity “Shirayamahime no Kami” of Ishikawa. The Shirayama Hime Shrine was a branch of
the temple at Mt. Hiei in the medieval period, and the priests of Hakusan
worked to spread the influence of the Tendai sect of Buddhism.
⑨ Sannō no Iwaya“Hie Sannō Sin” is the guardian deity of Enryaku-ji temple. The
fact that the cave dedicated to this deity is situated at the highest pointof the village seems to emphasize that Honederamura belonged to theTendai sect temple of Chūson-ji. The cave is also thought to have beenused as an ossuary.

❾ Sannō no Iwaya❽ Komagatane Shrine❽ Hakusan Shrine❶ Jiezuka
10❶ Worship hall

❷ Fudō no Iwaya❸ Wakamiko Shrine❹ Yōgaidate Site

❺ Tonishi Site

❻ Denmitake-dō Site

❼ Umenokida Site
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Important Cultural LandscapeThe rural landscape of
Ichinoseki Hondera
Characteristics of the rural landscape of Ichinoseki Hondera
1 The Hondera area of today is very similar to the arrangement of the shrines, paddies andresidences depicted in the medieval maps. For example, the scattered sets of houses and paddies,referred to as “tayashiki” in medieval times, can still be seen today.
2 In the Hondera area, with its strong western winds in the winter, the residences are surrounded by“igune” (trees planted as windbreaks). The network of waterways dug following the gentle sloping of theland for irrigation of the paddies also remains, and combines with the surrounding nature, making for aharmonious landscape.
3 This area, consisting of mixed forests, rice paddies adapted to the lay of the land, and the houses
surrounded by windbreaks, sustains a rich ecosystem in a varied and integrated environment.

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4 The paddies of the medieval Honederamura were watered withmarsh water from the hills and water from Hondera river. In the Edo
period, the farmland was expanded by digging a canal to draw waterfrom the Iwai river at the base of Mt. Sannō. But the village’s water
system did not change dramatically, making for a gentle developmentof life in the village.

SpringSummerSummary of Important Cultural Landscapes
In addition to its value as a historic site, the rural landscape of
Ichinoseki Hondera received praise for the characteristics describedon the right, and was designated as an Important Cultural Landscapein July, 2006.
According to the Cultural Properties Protection Act, a culturallandscape is a landscape which “has evolved together with the way oflife and geocultural features of a region, and which is indispensable
for understanding the lifestyle of the Japanese people,” and culturallandscapes that are considered particularly important may bedesignated and protected as Important Cultural Landscapes.

AutumnWinterTranquil rural landscape surrounded by igune

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Heading for World Heritage Site registration

The future of the site and the landscapeThe cultural landscape of the Hondera area reminiscent of a medieval village is truly a living
cultural treasure, and living and working here is to inherit the history of the village and keep thelandscape alive. The daily life in the Hondera area is closely related to the protection of the culturalproperty.
Because of this, development of the Hondera area gives due consideration to the preservation
and usage of the heritage sites and cultural landscape. A wide range of activities are being undertaken,

We are aiming to have Honedera Shōen Iseki registered as a site associated with “Hiraizumi” as an extension.
* What is an extension?
New properties can be added to an existing World Heritage registration. This is called an extension. The procedures for an extension are the same as fora new registration.

April, 2001
“Hiraizumi cultural heritages” is added to the tentative list.

June, 2003
Honederamura Shōen Iseki is added to the properties in the“Hiraizumi cultural heritages.”

December, 2006
The nomination list “Hiraizumi - Cultural Landscape Associatedwith Pure Land Buddhist Cosmology” is submitted to UNESCO.

like the removal of large waste that would ruin the landscape’s appearance, landscape-preserving
land development to ensure continued agricultural business, and social events and tours to spreadthe word of the village’s charm far and wide.
In Ichinoseki City, research into the Honederamura Shōen Iseki will continue, and the aforementioned activities will be supported, in order to protect the village’s value as a cultural property.

July, 2008
At the 32nd Session of the World Heritage Committee, registration is postponed.

April, 2009
At the 5th meeting of the World Heritage Nomination List
Creation Committee, four sites including Honederamura Shōen
Iseki were removed from the sites making up “Hiraizumi.”

June, 2011
At the 35 th Session of the World Heritage Committee,“Hiraizumi – Temples, Gardens and Archaeological Sites
Representing the Buddhist Pure Land” is registered as a World
Heritage Site.

September, 2012
“Hiraizumi – Temples, Gardens and Archaeological Sites
Representing the Buddhist Pure Land (extension)” is added tothe tentative list (with the intention of adding five sites
including Honederamura Shōen Iseki).
A World Heritage Site is a site that is recorded in the World
Heritage Site list, and is a treasure of humanity that should beshared by all the people of the world today, and passed on to
the future.
In order for a property to be registered as a World Heritage
Site, it must be recognized by the World Heritage Committee
as a unique property and be of “outstanding universal value.”
Another condition is that effective preservative action is being
taken in proportion to that value.

Distribution map of the “Cultural Heritage
Sites of Hiraizumi”
There are 10 properties including Chūsonji temple in Hiraizumi-chō, and the governmental and administrative bases ofthe Ōshū Fujiwara clan.

January, 2010
“Hiraizumi – Temples, Gardens and Archaeological Sites
Representing the Buddhist Pure Land” is submitted to UNESCO.

Ōshū City

Shirotoridate site
Hiraizumi Maesawa IC

Chōjagahara temple site
Minamimata river

Chūson-ji temple

Honederamura Shōen Iseki

Hiraizumi Town

Mt. Kinkei
Mōtsū-ji temple
Kanjizaiō-in site

Yanagi no Gosho site
Muryōkō-in site
Hiraizumi Station

uM
Tōhok

Takkoku-no-iwaya
Iwai rivereain Lin
Yamanome Station

LegendProperties of the World Heritage Site “Hiraizumi”
Properties intended for the extension

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Genbikei
Ichinoseki IC

Ichinoseki City

Ichinoseki
City Hall
Ichinoseki Station

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M

A

T

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O

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Air Travel (To Iwate-Hanamaki or Sendai Airports)
SapporoAbout 55mins

Osaka

About 1hr 25mins

NagoyaAbout 1hr 10mins

Fukuoka

About 2hrs

SapporoAbout 1hr 5mins

NaritaAbout 1hr 5mins

About 5mins by car

HanamakiAirport IC

Tōhoku Expwy
About 44mins

About 10mins by car

Shin-Hanamaki
StationTōhoku Shinkansen
About 25mins

About 10mins by car

Sendai
Airport IC

Tōhoku Expwy
About 1hr 10mins

Iwate-Hanamaki

NagoyaAbout 1hr 10mins

Komatsu

About 1hr

Osaka

About 1hr 15mins

Hiroshima

About 1hr 35mins

Fukuoka

About 1hr 45mins

Naha

About 2hrs 40mins

Ichinoseki

Ichinoseki
About 40mins by bus

Sendai

Tōhoku Shinkansen
About 23mins

Sendai Station

Sendai Airport Transit
About 17mins

Tōhoku Expwy (To Ichinoseki IC)
Kawaguchi Junction

About 4hrs 20mins (420.3 km)

Sendai-Miyagi IC

About 55mins (87.9 km)

Morioka IC

About 60mins (91.8 km)

Aomori IC

About 3hrs (259.2 km)

Ichinoseki IC

JR Tōhoku Shinkansen (To Ichinoseki Staion)

Shin-Aomori

Aomori

HachinohekansenHachinohe
Expwy▲
Mt. Iwate

About 1hr 58mins (fastest)

Sendai

About 23mins

Morioka

About 27mins

Shin-Aomori

About 1hr 38mins

Ichinoseki
Station About 20mins by car from Ichinoseki IC to Honederamura Shōen Iseki About 30mins by car from Ichinoseki Station to Honederamura Shōen Iseki* There is a bus line from Ichinoseki Station (several trips per day)

Iwate

Tōhoku Shin

Akita

Tokyo

Morioka

Iwate-Hanamaki
AirportHiraizumi Maesawa IC

Exp
wy

Ichinoseki City

Mōtsū-ji

Kesennuma

Ichinoseki IC

Chūson-ji

Hiraizumi Cultural
Heritage Center

Hiraizumi

Mt. Kurikoma▲Hiraizumi

To Morioka

Ichinoseki

Takkoku-no-iwaya

Main

Line

MiyagiTōhokuyMatsushima

Sendai

Honederamura Shōen
Guidance Center

Ichinoseki City Museum(Michi no Eki Genbikei)

Ichinoseki IC
Genbikei

Sendai Airport

To Sendai

Ichinoseki

Tōhoku Expw

4

Honederamura Shōen Iseki
Mt. Kurikoma Honederamura Shōen Rest House(Sukawadake)
342

Tōhoku Shinkansen

Shin-Hanamaki Tōno

Tōhoku Expwy

Akita

Tōhoku Main Line

HanamakiContact Us:

Ichinoseki Educational Committee,
Honedera Shōen Office* For information regarding guided tours

Honederamura Shōen Guidance Center

7-2 Takeyama-chō, Ichinoseki, Iwate, 021-8501
TEL: 0191-21-2111 FAX: 0191-21-2164
E-mail: honedera@city.ichinoseki.iwate.jp241-2 Wakakamiko, Genbichō, Ichinoseki, Iwate, 021-0101
TEL/FAX: 0191-33-5022
Closed: Tuesdays and at the end of the year Open: 9:00 to 17:00
URL: http://www.honedera.jp/

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Printed on recycled paper using environmental-friendly ink.

March, 2016