Old Edo 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #30 Nyorai-ji Temple

      There used to be Yogyoku-in Temple in Ueno, and Nyorai-ji Temple in Takawa.  The two merged in 1926, and became Yogyoku-in Nyorai-ji Temple.

     Sanmyaku-in Temple was founded in the Heian Period.  When the Edo Castle was built, it was moved to Ueno.  It was renamed Sanmyo-in in 1626, and became the family temple of the Tsushima Domain.  After the second lord of the domain, So Yoshinari (1604-1657), died, the wife, Fuku, got her Buddhist name, Yogyokuin.  After her death, the temple was renamed again Yogyoku-in in 1663.  The temple was removed to Sakamoto in 1698.  When a railroad was built, it was removed again to Oi in 1922. 

     Nyorai-ji Temple was founded by Mokujiki Tansho (?-1641) in Takawa.  The title Mokujiki was given to those monks who ate only fruites and nuts.  Moku means a wood and jiki means to eat.  Tansho carved the Five Tathagatas for the temple.  The Five Tathagatas are the images of the 5 wisdoms Buddha has: #1 the wisdom of the essence of the dharma-realm meditation mudra, #2 the wisdom of perfect practice, #3 the wisdom of observation, #4 the wisdom of equanimity, and #5 the wisdom of reflection.  The temple moved to the present place in 1908.

     The question is which temple used to be the original member temple of Old Edo 33 Kannon Pilgrimage.

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