Iwate Prefecture (岩手県 Iwate-ken) is the second largest prefecture of Japan after Hokkaido.[2]
It is located in the Tōhoku region of Honshū island and contains the island's easternmost point.[3]
The capital is Morioka.[4]
Iwate has the lowest population density of any prefecture outside Hokkaido.
Famous attractions include the Buddhist temples of Hiraizumi, including Chūson-ji and Mōtsū-ji with their treasures, Fujiwara no Sato, a movie lot and theme park in Esashi Ward, Oshu City, Tenshochi, a park in Kitakami City known for its big, old cherry trees and Morioka Castle in Morioka City.
Bashō visited and wrote about Iwate in the journey described in Oku no Hosomichi. Hiraizumi in particular inspired him.
Until the Meiji Restoration, the area of Iwate prefecture was part of Mutsu Province.[6]
There are several theories about 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, the devil was
immediately shackled to these rocks and forced to make a promise never
to trouble the people again.[5]
As a seal of his oath the devil made a handprint on one of the rocks,
thus giving rise to the name Iwate, literally ‘rock hand’. Even now
after a rainfall it is said that the devil’s hand print can still be
seen there.
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