Virtual Fushimi 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #1 Getsukyo-in Temple

     As the novel coronavirus infection prevents me from going on any 33 Kannon pilgrimage, I’m virtually visiting Kannon temples.  First, Fushimi 33 Kannon Pilgrimage.

     The written record of Fushimi 33 Kannon Pilgrimage dates back to 1841.  The most temples are located within Fushimi Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture, but two are in Uji City, Kyoto Prefecture.

     Getsukyo-in Temple is #1 Temple of Fushimi 33 Kannon Pilgrimage.

     The Fushimi-no-miya Family is one of the oldest branches of the Imperial family of Japan.  Yoshihito (1351-1456), the eldest son of Emperor Suko (1334-1398), founded the family.  He and his descendants had lived in Fushimi till the Meiji Restoration, and then moved to Tokyo.

     Sadafusa (1372-1456) was the third head of the Fushimi-no-miya Family.  In 1425, he shaved his head and became a Buddhist priest at Getsukyo-an Hermitage, which later became Getsukyo-in Temple.  There, he kept a diary, Kanbun Nikki (literally To See and To Hear Journal) for 33 years, which is known as a historical document.

     Getsukyo literally means Moon Bridge. Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1536-1598) loved the moon and the bridge across the Uji River, and held moon viewing parties where the temple is located today.

     The temple was popular for admiring the moon and as the first temple of Fushimi 33 Kannon Pilgrimage in the Edo Period.