[Saitama Prefecture] Saitama Prefectural Archives to Hold Special Exhibition 'Pilgrimage Journey - Chichibu Pilgrimage and Goshisokaichō (Year of the Horse Grand Opening)' in Reiwa 8

The Saitama Prefectural Archives will hold a special exhibition, "Pilgrimage Journey - Chichibu Pilgrimage and Goshisokaichō (Year of the Horse Grand Opening)," from Saturday, June 6, to Sunday, September 6, in Reiwa 8 (2026).

Pilgrimages to Kannon (Goddess of Mercy) sacred sites, against a backdrop of widespread Kannon faith and improved travel conditions, flourished among common people during the Edo period.

Many Kannon sacred sites exist in Saitama Prefecture, and among them, the Chichibu Pilgrimage (Chichibu 34 Kannon Sacred Sites) was visited by many people in the Edo period. The Chichibu Pilgrimage, together with the Saigoku 33 Kannon and Bandō 33 Kannon, forms the "Japan Hyakukannon" (100 Kannon Temples of Japan). It was popular among the people of Edo as it could be visited without crossing checkpoints.

Reiwa 8 (2026) marks the year of the Chichibu Pilgrimage's Goshisokaichō, a grand opening held once every 12 years in the Year of the Horse. This exhibition, timed with the Grand Opening period (Wednesday, March 18, to Monday, November 30), will trace the history of the Chichibu Pilgrimage and its pilgrims, primarily using materials from the archives' collection.

### Exhibition Outline **Dates** From Saturday, June 6, to Sunday, September 6, Reiwa 8 (2026)

**Venue** Saitama Prefectural Archives (4-3-18 Takasago, Urawa Ward, Saitama City)

**Organizer** Saitama Prefectural Archives

**Co-sponsors** Chichibu City Board of Education, Ogano Town Board of Education, Minano Town Board of Education, Yokoze Town Board of Education (planned)

**Closed Days** Every Monday, national holidays (Tuesday, August 11), archives maintenance days (Tuesday, June 30, Friday, July 31)

**Opening Hours** 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM

**Admission Fee** Free

**Access** 15-minute walk from JR Urawa Station West Exit, 18-minute walk from JR Naka-Urawa Station

### Exhibition Structure #### Prologue: Kannon Faith and Pilgrimages Since ancient times, Kannon (Kannon Bodhisattva) has attracted devout followers as a Buddha who grants worldly benefits and salvation in the afterlife. The Saigoku Pilgrimage, which visits 33 sacred sites (Kannon temples) primarily in the Kinki region, such as Ishiyamadera Temple (Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture) and Kiyomizu-dera Temple (Kyoto City), began around the end of the Heian period. In the Kanto region, the Bandō Pilgrimage, which visits 33 sites including Hasedera Temple (Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture) and Jikoji Temple (Tokigawa Town), is believed to have been established during the Kamakura period. These later came to be collectively known as the "Japan Hyakukannon" when combined with the 34 Chichibu Pilgrimage sites.

* Saigoku Junrei Dochū Ezu (Toya Family Documents 4368) * [Bandō Sanjūsansho Junrei no Ryaku Engi] (Kuroda (Shō) Family Documents 648)

#### Chapter 1: Establishment of the Chichibu Pilgrimage The Chichibu Pilgrimage is said to have been founded in Bunreki 1 (1234) by the "Jūsan Kenja," or 13 deities, Buddhas, imperial family members, and high-ranking monks. A record of pilgrimage sites from Chōkyō 2 (1488) exists at Hōshōji Temple (Ogano Town), the 32nd sacred site, suggesting that by this time, 33 sacred sites and the pilgrimage had been established. The prevailing theory is that the powerful local lords of the Chichibu region, the Dan-tō warrior clan, and the shugenja (ascetic monks) of Kumano Sanzan (Wakayama Prefecture) were involved in the establishment of the Chichibu Pilgrimage.

* [Shōgoin Monzeki Chichibu Rokujūrokugō Kumano Sankei Sendatsu Shoku ni Tsuki Gyosho] (Soma Family (former Yamamotobo) Documents 704) * [Chichibu Sanjūshi-ji Junrei Sendatsu Jūsan-nin Zō] (Kawata Collection Documents 1730)

#### Chapter 2: Changes and Prosperity of the Chichibu Pilgrimage Initially formed as a pilgrimage of 33 sites starting from Ōmiya-gō, Chichibu County (present-day Chichibu City), the Chichibu Pilgrimage expanded to 34 sites in the 16th century to integrate with the Saigoku and Bandō Kannon sacred sites. Around the late 16th to 17th century, the pilgrimage route is believed to have been significantly altered to the current numbering system, which was convenient for pilgrims from Edo. During the Edo period, pilgrimages by Edo townspeople increased, and the Chichibu Pilgrimage flourished greatly.

* Chichibu Sanjūshi-sho Junrei Michi Annai Ezu (Mukasa (Noboru) Family Documents 264) * Nōkyōchō (Shiraoka City Designated Cultural Property Onikubo Family Documents 3382) * Chichibu Nijūhachiban Sekiryūzan Hashidate-dera Okuin Gankutsu Ezu (Aoki Family Documents 8703)

#### Chapter 3: Pilgrimage Routes and People The paths traversing the Chichibu Pilgrimage are called "Chichibu Pilgrimage Roads." People in the Edo period recorded their pilgrimage journeys, including routes, lodging places, and breaks at teahouses, in "Dochūki" (travel diaries). Account books recording travel expenses during the journey have also been preserved, providing specific insights into the nature of pilgrimages at that time.

* [Chichibu-gun Terao-mura Ezu] (Kumagaya City Designated Cultural Property Negishi Family Documents 4996) * Osore nagara henchi sho wo motte mōshiage sōrō (Hiki-gun Nanushi Toshiyori Hyakushō yori Chichibu Bandō Junrei Tabibito Uma Kago Tsugiai no Gi Sashisawari sōrō yō mōshitatesōrō ni tsuki) (Ono Collection Documents 372-3) * Shinshu Zenkōji Chichibu Sanjūshiban Junrei Dochūki (Saitama City Designated Cultural Property Mukasa (Hiroshi) Family Documents 54)

#### Epilogue: Chichibu Pilgrimage and Goshisokaichō after the Meiji Era In the Meiji era, affected by movements like Haibutsu Kishaku (anti-Buddhist movement), the Chichibu Pilgrimage was temporarily forced into decline. However, with the advent of the Showa era, against the backdrop of railway development and the efforts of the pilgrimage temples, the Chichibu Pilgrimage and the Goshisokaichō were revived. Today, the sacred sites and their treasures are valued as cultural properties, and the Chichibu Pilgrimage and Goshisokaichō have become significant tourist resources for the Chichibu region and, by extension, Saitama Prefecture.

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