Virtual Kanesawa 34 Kannon Pilgrimage #21 Amida-ji Temple

 

     After the Heiji Rebellion in 1160, Sasaki Hideyoshi (1112-1184), who belonged to the losers’ side, left Kyoto for Ou Province, falling back on his cousin, Fujiwara Hidehira (1122-1187), with his 3 sons, Sadatsuna (1142-1205), Tsunetaka (?-1221), and Moritsuna (?-?).  His youngest son, Takatsuna (1160-1214), was just a baby, and was raised by Takatsuna’s aunt.  When Hideyoshi and his sons was passing through Sagami Province, they were stopped by Shibuya Shigekuni, and stayed in his manor for about 20 years.

     In 1180, when Minamoto Yoritomo (1147-1199) raised an army to fight the Taira Clan for the position of the master of samurais, Takatsuna joined his father and 3 elder brothers to fight for Yoritomo.

     Takatsuna lived near Kozukue 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #2 Sanne-ji Temple, which was built by him.  The Hayagriva Temple near Sanne-ji Temple was dedicated for his favorite horse, Ikezuki.  Hayagriva, who has the head of a horse, is one of 6 metamorphoses of Avalokitesvara.

     Takatsuna left his guardian deity, the Arya Avalokitesvara statue in Amida-ji Temple.  The statue is said to have been carved by a legendary Buddhist sculptor, Kasuga.

     Kasuga is said to have worked in Kawachi Province.  Legend has it that he carved Buddhism images and statues day and night.  One day, the villagers noticed his carving something other than Buddhism images.  It became a big crane statue.  Next morning, the villagers found nobody in his house, but a big bird flying to the east in the morning glow, with something or someone on its back.

     So, it is unknown whether Kasuga carved the statue concerned in Kawachi, which Takatsuna got in Kyoto, or Kasuga carved it for Takatsuna in Sagami Province after his flight on the back of the crane.

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