Virtual Quasi-Chichibu 34 Kannon Pilgrimage #26 Joryu-ji Temple

     Joryu-ji Temple was founded by Priest Shin’yo (?-1598) in Yoshida Village, Tuduki County, Musashi Province.  Presumably, it was established after the collapse of the Later Hojo Clan, who had been ruling the Kanto Region, in 1590.  After the collapse, some samurais were hired by Tokugawa Ieyasu, some others turned (returned?) farmer, and a few turned priest or monk, realizing everything is evanescent, and that nothing is permanent in this world.

     In 1649, the temple was authorized by the Tokugawa Shogunate.  In 1641, the Kan’ei Great Famine broke out.  It lasted till 1643.  In 1644, the Ming Dynasty collapsed in China, and Aisin Gioro Fulin (1638-1661) entered Beijing to establish the Qing Dynasty.  The Tokugawa Shogunate was busy grasping the whole situation in and outside Japan.  Domestically, they tightened the controls over peasants.  The religion control meant a chance for Buddhist temples.

     Joryu literally means Cleansing Draining.  Did the temple cleanse and drain what Shin’yo wanted to cleanse and drain?

Address: 3317 Shinyoshidacho, Kohoku Ward, Yokohama, Kanagawa 223-0056

Phone: 045-591-1653