Trees In the Town

 

Virtual Sakai 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #32 Zencho-ji Temple

 

     Zencho-ji Temple was founded by Priest Kenku in 1549, supported by Miyoshi Masakatsu (?-1569) for his late father, Masanaga (1508-1549).

     Masanaga fought with Miyoshi Nagayoshi (1522-1564) for Hosokawa Harumoto (1514-1563), the 17th head of Kyocho-Hosokawa Family, till 1548, but Masanaga and Nagayoshi fought against each other in 1549.  Masanaga held Eguchi Fortress, which is supposed to have been located near Eguchi Bridge.  The fortress was seized by Nagayoshi and Masanaga was either killed in battle or was drowned in the river on his way to Enami Fortress, where Masakatsu was based.

     Maasakatsu became subject to Nagayoshi in September, 1558.  He was buried in the precincts of the temple, but the temple is supposed to have been relocated to its present place later.  Its original location is unknown.

Address: 3 Chome 1-43, Shinmeichohigashi, Sakai Ward, Sakai, Osaka 590-0935

Phone: 072-238-0103

Eguchi Bridge

Address: Higashiyodogawa Ward, Osaka, 533-0002

Enami Fortress Site

Address: 4 Chome-1-39 Noe, Joto Ward, Osaka, 536-0006

Trees In the Town

 

Virtual Sakai 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #31 Chogan-ji Temple

     Tsukamoto Nishikawa was born in Mameduka Village, Sumiyoshi County, Settsu Province, today's Mamezukacho, Kita Ward, Sakai, Osaka 591-8042.  The village was first documented in 1569.

     While traveling around the country, Nishikawa met Priest Rennyo (1415-1499), the 8th head of the Hongan-ji branch of Ture Pure Land Buddhism, in Kakizaki, Echigo Province, today's Joetsu, Niigata Prefecture, became Rennyo's disciple, and changed his name to Ryosai.

     Rennyo was a passionate missionary, sending letters to his followers around the country containing the teachings of the sect's founder, Shinran (1173-1263), in easy-to-understand language, instead of using sutras in classical Chinese, which common people could not read.  Renyo suffered various forms of persecution and moved from place to place.  It is recorded that Renyo visited Kakizaki in 1479.

     After returning to Sakai, Ryosai built a training hall for True Pure Land Buddhism, Ryosai-an Hermitage, in Ojigaue, today's Kitatadeicho, Sakai Ward, Sakai, Osaka 590-0017.  Its foundation date is unknown.

     During the Ishiyama Hongan-ji War from 1570 to 1580, a battle between Honganji forces and Oda Nobunaga (1534-1582), it is recorded that Ryokan, the 3rd priest of Ryosai-an Hermitage, followed Kennyo (1543-1592), the 11th head of Hongan-ji Temple, and provided food and financial support.  Ryokan also accompanied Kennyo when he retreated to Sagimori after a peace agreement was made with Nobunaga.

     During the reign of the 5th priest, Ryokei, Ryosai-an Hermitage was relocated to Kitanosho Manor, Sakai, and the temple's name was changed to Chogan-ji Temple.

     During the Summer Siege of Osaka in 1615, Sakai Town was burned down and completely destroyed.  Later, when the Tokugawa Shogunate redeveloped Sakai, temple towns were formed, and Chogan-ji Temple was moved to its present location.

     According to temple records, the current main hall was completed in January, 1863.  The hall's architectural and decorative style exhibits characteristics of the late Edo Period, which is consistent with the temple's history.

     However, on the sliding screen separating the outer sanctuary  and the auxiliary room in the main hall on the 2nd floor, there is an ink inscription reading, "The Winter of the Year of the Horeki Kanoto-Mi" (1761), indicating that the screens were made approximately 100 years earlier.

     Chogan-ji Temple's nickname is Nikai-do, or Two-storied Hall.  The temple is said to have undergone major renovations at the end of the Edo Period, when the hall, which had been on the first floor, was raised to the second floor, resulting in its current appearance.  It has been doubted if such renovations were carried out in the Edo Period, when heavy machinery was unavailable.  This mystery has now been solved by the dismantling and restoration work being carried out lately.

     In 2022, Choganji Temple, with the cooperation of its parishioners, carried out long-awaited repairs to its main building.  It was discovered that the second-floor hall and the first-floor building were completely different in terms of the ways they were constructed and what wood was used for them.  This proved that the most part of the 2nd floor was built in 1761, and it was raised to the 2nd floor in 1863.

     The mystery seems to have been solved, but new questions continue to arise.

     First of all, during the Edo Period, buildings higher than two stories were prohibited, so why was Chogan-ji Temple allowed to build a two-storied hall?  Were the shogunate's regulations relaxed, or were the regulations themselves weakened due to the chaos at the end of the period, or did the temple have some special power?  To begin with, how and by what means was the hall raised to the second floor?

     It seems there will never be an end to the mystery of the temple.

     Anyway, it is certain that Chogan-ji Temple has an architectural style that was rare nationwide, and that the limited space as an urban temple caused its style.

Address: 3 Chome-1 Shinmeichohigashi, Sakai Ward, Sakai, Osaka 590-0935

Phone: 072-238-3136

Honganji-Sagimori-betsuin Temple

Address: 1 Saginomori, Wakayama, 640-8053

Phone: 073-422-4677

 

Trees In the Town

 

Virtual Sakai 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #30 Senshu-ji Temple

 

     Priest Eitetsu is said to have been an unrecorded son of Koga Toyomichi (1459-1536), a highranking noble man.  The priest studied Buddhism in Byodo-in Temple for 24 years.  He founded Senshu-ji Temple in 1558 at the age of 63.  As Toyomichi's only legitimate son was Michinobu (1487-1543), Eitetsu could have been Michinobu's half brother.

     Senshu-ji Temple used to be located in today's 2 Chome Shinmeichohigashi, Sakai Ward, Sakai, Osaka 590-0935.  It is said to have been relocated to Kagishi-cho, Nishinari Ward, Osaka, in 1904, but the ward doesn't have Kawagishi-cho, nor does it have a Senshu-ji Temple.

     Sakai City has another Senshu-ji Temple, which is said to have moved to its present place in 2015 from 947-5 Hirai, Naka Ward, Sakai, Osaka 599-8251.  Its history is unknown.  Osaka City has another Senshu-ji Temple, which isn't located in Nishinari Ward.

     Senshu-ji Temple's graveyard had the grave of Nunoya Gohe (1795-1851).  It is unknown where the grave has gone.

     For your information, Nunoya Gohei lived in Shukuin-machi Township and ran a cotton wholesale business.  He sold cotton goods to the residences of feudal lords, and his family business flourished.  He appreciated the elegance of traditional Japanese art, and enjoyed painting as a leisure activity, adept at the Shijo School painting.  He built a villa in Shiomigaoka, in today's Sumiyoshibashicho, Sakai Ward, Sakai, Osaka 590-0973.  In the Tenpo era (1831-1845), he hired potters from Awata, Kyoto, and built two kilns at the west end of Hishibashi Bridge, which is supposed to have been located near today's Ohama Bridge.  He also produced his own tea utensils.  His works were made of red porcelain with a white glaze, and are very elegant.  It is stamped with the seal Shiomi or inscribed Shiomi with a pallet, referring to the location of the villa.  They were presented to Gohei's friends.  There are not many of these left, and they are still coveted by tea ceremony lovers to this day.  He passed away on December 26th, 1851, at the age of 66.  He was buried in the grave yard of Senshu-ji Temple.  His posthumous name was Kotokuin Shoyo Teihan Zenshi according to the inscription on his grave, which was still known when the History of Sakai City was published in 1930. 

Byodo-in Temple

Address: Renge-116 Uji, Kyoto 611-0021

Phone: 0774-21-2861

Senshu-ji Temple

Address: 537-2 Hirai, Naka Ward, Sakai, Osaka 599-8251

Phone: 072-281-5711

Senshu-ji Temple

Address: 2 Chome-3-5 Tateba, Naniwa Ward, Osaka, 556-0020

Phone: 06-6561-0113

Ryujin-do Shrine

Address: 2 Chome-3-12 Ryujinbashicho, Sakai Ward, Sakai, Osaka 590-0971

Sanuki no Suke’s Diary (21)

 

     In the meantime, the sun began to shine brightly.  As the day grew higher, the Emperor’s skin became paler than usual, his puffy face became more beautiful, and his hair looked as if it had just been styled.  It was as if he had simply gone to sleep.

     Priest Zoyo bowed to him for the last time, then quietly rose from his seat, gently pulled open the sliding screen beside him, and left.  Then Fujiwara Ieko cried, "Oh, how sad!  What a terrible thing he has done!  Please help me!"  Hearing this, the people present all cried together, crying out loud.  The Emperor's foster brothers, including Minamoto Masatoshi, Minamoto Kunizane, Minamoto Akimichi (1081-1122), and Lieutenant General, a total of about ten people, as well as all of the ladies-in-waiting present, were crying in unison in such grief that the sliding doors shook violently as if there had been an earthquake.  It was so horrible that those who were too timid to listen could not bear it.

     "We want to see the Emperor’s face one more time," said the nobles and courtiers who had served him closely, and they rushed to the palace, but those who were not close relatives were not even invited in.

     Ieko turned to the slept body and said to him, "Your Majesty, why have you abandoned me?  Ever since your birth, I have never left your side, never leaving you for a moment.  I raised you in your swaddling clothes, and accompanied you wherever you went, sometimes following you and sometimes leading you.  Even when I was ill and forced to stay at home for 10 days, I missed you and yearned for you so much.  But now I am not able to see you for even a moment, how can I continue to live?  Please take me with you.  Please wake up once more and let me see your face.  Oh, how sad!  I long for you so much.  I could not live. Please, please, please, take me with you."  Hearing this, the 12 high priests who had been praying so loudly also fell silent.  When Priest Ningen, who was the 40th head priest of Mount Hiei, and who was the uncle of the Chancellor, finally arrived and pulled open the sliding door through which Zoyo had left, Ieko, bursting into tears, said, "What use is the head priest of Mount Hiei at this point?"

Trees In the Town

 

Virtual Sakai 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #29 Shinko-ji Temple

 

     It is unknown when Shinko-ji Temple was founded.  When the History of Sakai City was published in 1930, the temple had a Kannon-do hall outside its precincts.  The #29 deity of the Sakai 33 Kannon Pilgrimage could have been enshrined in the hall.  It is unknown where the hall and the deity have gone.

Address: 1 Chome-1-3 Kitashocho, Sakai Ward, Sakai, Osaka 590-0007

Trees In the Town

 

Virtual Sakai 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #28 Hogo-san Hiden-in Kitajuman-ji Temple

 

     Monk Onkei copied the Amitabha Sutra.  It is unknown how he counted the sutra, but, according to him, the sutra had 100,000 volumes.  100,000 is juman in Japanese, and he was called Juman-shonin, or Monk Juman.  When he founded a temple in 1490, the temple was called Juman-ji Temple, which was originally located along the beach of Yanaginocho Township (today's 2 Chome Yanaginochonishi, Sakai Ward, Sakai, Osaka 590-0930), Sakai Town, Izumi Province.  The temple was approved by Emperor Go-Tsuchimikado (1442-1500), who gave the temple the name plate Hiden-in in 1501.

     Why was Kita-Juman-ji Temple given the name Hiden-in?

     Usually, Hiden-in is supposed to be the Buddhist temple in Kyoto.  Originally, Hiden-in were facilities established to help the poor and orphans based on the Buddhist concept of compassion.

     Tradition has it that the first Hiden-in in Japan was established by Prince Shotoku (574-622) as one of the 4 houses at Shitenno-ji Temple in Osaka, following the example of the Sui Dynasty in China.  The 4 houses were Hiden-in, Keiden-in, Seyaku-in, and Ryobyo-in Houses.

     According to the Fuso Ryakuki, a Japanese historical text compiled at the end of the 12th century by Priest Koen (1074-1169), Empress Komyo (701-760), then Crown Princess, established Seyaku-in and Hiden-in Houses at Kofuku-ji Temple in 723.

     During the Heian Period (794-1185), Seyaku-in and Hiden-in Houses were established in the east and west of Heian-kyo Capital, and were placed under the management of the Hidenin and Seyakuin Bureaus, which were also established by Empress Komyo as part of the Imperial Household Agency.

     During the Kamakura Period (1185-1333), Ninsho (1217-1303), who founded 83 temples,  established 5 Hiden-in-like houses and gave 33,000 items of clothing to medieval outcasts.  The houses subsequently became bases for medieval outcasts.

     Hiden-in Temple, currently one of the sub-temples of Senn’yu-ji Temple in Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto City, is said to be the successor of the Hiden-in Houses of Heian-kyo Capital.  The place name Hiden-in-cho remains as Hidenincho, Tennoji Ward, Osaka, 543-0055.  Hiden-in-cho is near JR and subway Tennoji Stations, located at the southern end of Tennoji Ward, Osaka City, where Shitenno-ji Temple is located.

     The fact that Emperor Go-Tsuchimikado (1442-1500) gave Kita-Juman-ji Temple the name plate Hiden-in might have shown that the Imperial Court approved Juman-ji Temple as one of Hiden-in Houses.

     Sakai Town was burned in 1615 in the Siege of Osaka, and Juman-ji Temple was revived later, divided into 2: Kita-Juman-ji Temple, namely North Juman-ji Temple; and Minami-Juman-ji Temple, namely South Juman-ji Temple.  As Emperor Go-Mizuno (1596-1680) presented Kita-juman-ji Temple the name plate Kitajuman, Juman-ji Temple should have been divided before 1680.  Anyway, Kita-Juman-ji Temple became an official Buddhism temple under the Tokugawa Shogunate, approved by the Imperial Court.  Later, Kita-juman-ji Temple became Hiden-in Temple, and Minami-Juman-ji Temple became Chosen-ji Temple.

     Onkei had pity on wifeless old men, husbandless old women, orphans, and childless old people.  He housed them within the temple precincts.  Their descendants continued to live within the precincts, but in 1811 they were forced to move north outside the precincts of Kita-Juman-ji Temple to the west of Inari-sha Shrine, and the place was called Juman Nagaya, or Juman Row House.

     The Juman Row House was first located in today's 2 Chome Nishikinochonishi, Sakai Ward, Sakai, Osaka 590-0931, and it was moved to today's Kitahanchohigashi, Sakai Ward, Sakai, Osaka 590-0922, as Juman-ji Temple was relocated.  It was originally a tenement house built by Monk Juman, the founder of Juman-ji Temple, on a 180 square meters plot of land within the precincts to house poor and lonely people.  The tenement house is marked as a rented house for outcasts on the Sakai Dai-ezu, namely the Sakai Grand Map, published in 1620 and is located north of the Kitajuman-ji Temple precincts.

Address: 2 Chome-2-8 Nishikinochohigashi, Sakai Ward, Sakai, Osaka 590-0932

Phone: 072-232-0794

Takasu Shrine

Address: 2-chome-1 Kitahatagochōhigashi, Sakai Ward, Sakai, Osaka 590-0923

Phone: 072-232-5164

Trees In the Town

 

Virtual Sakai 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #27 Henjo-ji Temple

 

     Henjo-ji Temple was founded in 1580 by Priest Toko (?-1586).  The temple keeps Yukinoshita-saki Shichijo-kesa, a Buddhist priest's sash.  The sash was given by Oda nobunaga (1534-1582) to Priest Teian (1539-1635), who handed it over to Toko.

     Teian was born on March 7th, 1539, in Kuronuma Village, Miura County, Sagami Province, as a son of Oe Masatoki.  His mother, Nowaki, died when he was 4 years old, and his father was killed in battle next year.  He was raised by Nowaki’s sister for a while, but sent to Dairen-ji Temple in Odawara, Sagami Province, at the age of 7.  He shaved his head at the age of 11.  He studied under Priest Gyoshin.  When Gyoshin moved to Gugyo-ji Temple in Hitachi Province, Teian followed the priest.  In 1573, he became the head priest of the temple.  He happened to visit Saiko-ji Temple in Nanao, Noto Province, when Nagao Kagetora (1530-1578) started invading Noto Province.  Teian fled to Myokongo-ji Temple in Omi Province in 1576.  In 1579, he took part in the Azuchi Religious Debate, which was hosted by Nobunaga, the ruler of Japan at the time, as one of the 4 members of Pure Land Buddhism's side.  His team won in a spectacular fashion, and he won the trust of Nobunaga.  He was given an estate in Azuchi, and established another Saiko-ji Temple there. 

     Toko also took part in the debate as a fellow team member of Teian.

Address: 4 Chome-1-10 Kushiyachohigashi, Sakai Ward, Sakai, Osaka 590-0944

Phone: 072-232-0395

Dairen-ji Temple

Address: 2 Chome-4-9 Minamicho, Odawara, Kanagawa 250-0013

Phone: 0465-22-7557

Gugyo-ji Temple

Address: Ko 1, Toyookamachi, Joso, Ibaraki 303-0041

Phone: 0297-24-0895

Saiko-ji Temple

Address: 148 Kojimamachi, Nanao, Ishikawa 926-0852

Phone: 0767-52-2695

Myokongo-ji Temple

Address: 1887 Ibacho, Higashiomi, Shiga 521-1235

Phone: 0748-42-1540

Saiko-ji Temple

Address: Omihachiman, Shiga 521-1311

Trees In the Town

 

Virtual Sakai 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #26 Soken-ji Temple

 

     Hokutan-zan Soken-ji Temple was founded by Priest Shukukei (?-1608) in Jinmei-cho Township, Sakai Town, Izumi Province, in 1588 as a branch of Seijoke-in Temple.  It fell into disrepair after the fire in 1615 caused by the Siege of Osaka.  Priest Kanrei (?-1661) revived it in 1655, moving it to Umega-machi, and naming it Kitatan-zan Baiko-in Soken-ji Temple.  Later, the 3rd head priest, Sonsatsu, built its main hall in 1693.  When the Meiji Restoration Government compiled the Temples Detailed List in 1879, Soken-ji Temple had 858 square meters precincts and had a Kannon-do hall.

      Umega-machi became part of Kitaham-cho as late as in the 19th century.

Address: 2-19 Kitahanchonishi, Sakai Ward, Sakai, Osaka 590-0921

Phone: 072-232-5243

Seijoke-in Temple

Address: 395 Kitanobecho, Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto, 602-0852

Phone: 075-231-2550