Virtual Kozukue 33 Kannon Pilgrimage in Yokohama #19 Chofuku-ji Temple

     Chofuku-ji Temple was founded by Priest Chiku, whose childhood name was Fukuju-maru, a son of Tada Yukitsuna (?-?).  The Tada Clan had been based in the Tada-sho Manor, Settsu Province, since the time of Mitsunaka (912-997).  Yukitsuna fought for Minamoto Yoritomo (1147-1199) and helped establish the Kamakura Shogunate in 1192.  But after the establishment, Yukitsuna was expelled and the manor was confiscated by Yoritomo.  Yukitsuna went missing.

     The written history of Chofuku-ji Temple claims the temple was founded to pray for the comfort of Yukitsuna after his death.  Did he die near Kamakura?  Another tradition says that Yukitsuna fled to Amakusa, Higo Province, and died there.  Yes, Yukitsuna went missing.

     When Yukitsuna’s wife got pregnant with Fukuju-maru, Avalokitesvara appeared in her dream.  In 7 days after his birth, she heard the divine chant, “Fukuju Kai Muryo” and named him Fukuju-maru.  He was considered to be a reincarnation of Avalokitesvara, and read Saddharma Pundarika Sutra Vol.25 at the age of 2.  When he was 7 years old, he made up his mind to ba a priest.

     Yukitsuna had 7 sons.  All of them went missing except the 4th, Mototsuna, who was killed in a battle and whose head was exposed to the public in 1221.  It is unknown where Fukuju-maru or Chiku fell among the 7, but he survived as a priest.  With all the beautiful stories put aside, he survived.  And he prayed for the comfort of his family in the other world.  It’s a familiar story that a too-young-to-kill son of a once powerful samurai was confined in a small hermitage in a small village near Kamakura.

     Chofuku-ji Temple changed its name into Jufuku-ji in 1716.

     Chofuku-maru was born on January 28, 1716.  His father, Tokugawa Yoshimune (1684-1751), made the 8th shogun of the Tokugawa Shogunate in 1716.  Everybody and everything were supposed to shun using the heir’s name.  Actually, Chofuku-maru became the 9th shogun, Ieshige (1712-1761).

Having witnessed the unreasonable and outrageous deeds of powers, Jufuku-ji Temple stands quietly in a residential area of Chigasaki today.

Address: 3 Chome-25-6 Chigasakihigashi, Tsuzuki Ward, Yokohama, Kanagawa 224-0033Phone: 045-945-1576