Virtual Kanesawa 34 Kannon Pilgrimage #18 Hannya-ji Temple

 

     Hannya-ji Temple was founded by Sakanoue Tamuramaro (758-811) for those killed in the battle against the Emishi people in the northeastern part of Honshu Island.  It was named so since it had 600 volumes of the Mahaprajnaparamita Sutra recited.

     The temple was revived by Priest Sonkei (?-1305), and was also renamed Manzo-in.

     In 1305, the Kagen Incident broke out.  On April 22, the residence of Hojo Sadatoki (1272-1311) was set fire.  He was the head of the mainline family of the Hojo Clan.  Next day, his 12 vassals killed Hojo Tokimura (1242-1305), a leader of other minor families of the clan.  11 out of the 12 were beheaded on May 2.  On May 4, Hojo Munakata (1278-1305), Sadatoki’s brother-in-low, was killed, framed for everything.

     Sadatoki’s doubts and fears might have caused, or at least worsened, the incident.  Losing his loyal vassals and blood brother as well to evade responsibility, Sadatoki got addicted to drinking.  The autocracy by the head of the mainline Hojo Clan began rapidly breaking down.  The Kamakura Shogunate was destroyed in 1333.

     The temple was revived again by Priest Soben (?-1547).

     In 1547, Uesugi Norimasa (1523-1579) lost to Takeda Harunobu (1521-1573) in the Battle of Otaihara.  The Uesugi Clan had succeeded the hereditary position of the Butler of the Kanto Deputy Shogun, while Harunobu was just the Guardian Samurai of Kai Province.  The lower-ranked actually took the upper hand of the higher-ranked.

     When the samurai society entered the time of upheaval, some samurais became monks or priests.  Samurais were not only warriors but also intellectuals.

Manzo-in Temple

Address: 6 Chome-24-10 Kamariyahigashi, Kanesawa Ward, Yokohama, Kanagawa 236-0042

Phone: 045-783-3525