Virtual Kozukue 33 Kannon Pilgrimage in Yokohama #31 Hoto-in Temple

     Hoto-in Temple is said to have been founded in the Muromachi Period (1336-1573).  They had many wars, battles, and fights during the period.  Some hermitages were built to confine too-young-to-kill boys in them.  In the 17th century, under the Pax Tokugawa, the economy boomed, and some of the hermitages were converted into real temples.  Hoto-in Temple was converted into a real temple in 1710’s by Priest Yuen.  The Kannon-do Hall might have been in the precincts before Yuen built other buildings.  The hall has, interestingly enough, not only the Arya Avalokitesvar statue but also the Bhaisajyaguru statue.  Kozue 33 Kannon Pilgrimage is also called Zodical Rat Year 33 Kannon Pilgrimage.  The Arya Avalokitesvar statue is displayed to the public every 12 years, in the Year of Rat.   The Bhaisajyaguru statue is displayed to the public every 12 years, in the Year of Tiger. 2020 is the Year of Rat and 2022 is the Year of Tiger.  With the other 24 temples which have Bhaisajyaguru statues, the temple also constitutes Buso 25 Yakushinyorai (=Bhaisajyaguru) Pilgrimage.  The pilgrimage name Buso is the contraction of Bushu and Soshu.  And Bushu is the contraction of Musashi Province, and Soshu is that of Sagami Province.

Address: 2 Chome-35-12 Hakusan, Midori Ward, Yokohama, Kanagawa 226-0006Phone: 045-931-2809