Virtual Old Kamakura 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #5 Shokaku-ji Temple

 

     Ryochu (1199-1287) started spreading “nembutsu”, chanting the name of Buddha, in 1240, based at Nenna-do Cave in Sumiyoshi-dani Valley, where Shokaku-ji Temple is located today.  After Hojo Tsunetoki (1224-1246) became the 4th Regent of the Kamakura Shogunate in 1242, he supported Ryochu’s propagation.  The temple’s first name used to be Goshin-ji, but it is unknown whether it had been called so before Ryochu’s days, or was named so during his stay there, or after his death, commemorating him.  Anyway, he was cremated in the valley.

     Later, Yuso (1426-1509) stayed in the cave to train himself.  It seems the temple was still called Goshin-ji during his stay.

     Miura Yoshiatsu (1451-1516) used to have Sumiyoshi Castle on the hills behind the temple.  In 1512, Ise Shinkuro (1456-1519) seized the castle, and the temple was burned down in the battle.

     In 1541, Kaiyo rebuilt the temple and renamed it Shokaku-ji.

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