Mount Moriyoshi

A mountain located in the north-central part of Akita Prefecture, on the border between the Moriyoshi and Ani districts of Kitaakita City. It is 1,454 meters above sea level. It is a shield volcano located in the northern part of the Dewa Mountains. It has a caldera about 3 kilometers in diameter at its peak. The primary old crater opens to the north in a horseshoe shape, and the crater rapids of Renzezawa flow north. Above 1,100 meters above sea level, there are many Aomoritodomatsu trees, and the foothills are dominated by virgin beech forests. It is designated as Moriyoshiyama Prefectural Natural Park, and is home to the prefectural scenic spot and natural monument "Komatakyo" and the nationally designated natural monument "Todou-Sado no Sugigenseirin," and in 1975 (Showa 50), black woodpeckers were confirmed to live here. There are several climbing routes, including a four-hour bus ride and a walk from Ani-Maeda Station on the Akita Inland Line. There is also a route to the summit using the Ani Gondola. In 2004, the Moriyoshi Mountain Wildlife Center was opened with the aim of protecting the environment of precious wild birds and animals.

The people of the Ani area have had a deep faith in this mountain since ancient times, and on the 8th day of the 4th month of the lunar calendar, they climb the mountain in large numbers, bringing back Morobi (Aomoritodomatsu) and distributing them to relatives and acquaintances. When entering the mountains or mines, Morobi is burned to ward off disasters.

[Reijiro Miyazaki]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

秋田県中北部、北秋田市の森吉地区と阿仁(あに)地区の境界にある山。標高1454メートル。出羽山地(でわさんち)北部に位置する楯状火山(たてじょうかざん)。頂上に直径約3キロメートルのカルデラがある。第一次旧火口は馬蹄(ばてい)形に北方に開き、連瀬(れんぜ)沢の火口瀬が北流する。標高1100メートル以上はアオモリトドマツ、山麓(さんろく)一帯はブナの原生林が多い。森吉山県立自然公園に指定され、県の名勝・天然記念物の「小又峡(こまたきょう)」や国指定天然記念物「桃洞・佐渡の杉原生林(とうどうさどのすぎげんせいりん)」があり、1975年（昭和50）にはクマゲラの生息が確認された。登山コースは秋田内陸縦貫鉄道阿仁前田駅からバスと徒歩による4時間行程などがある。また、阿仁ゴンドラを利用して山頂に至るコースもある。2004年（平成16）には貴重な野生鳥獣の環境保全を目的とした森吉山野生鳥獣センターが開館した。

　なお、阿仁地区の住民は古来この山を深く信仰し、旧暦4月8日には大ぜいで登山しモロビ（アオモリトドマツ）を持ち帰り、親族か知己に配る風習がある。山や鉱山に入るときモロビを焼いて災難除(よ)けとする。

［宮崎禮次郎］

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