Virtual Hachioji 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #5 Hosho-ji Temple

 

     Hosho-ji Temple was founded by Priest Meiban in 1425.  When Enpuku-ji Temple (Address: 2222 Kamikawamachi, Hachioji, Tokyo 192-0151, Phone: 042-654-4253) organized copying the Mahaprajnaparamita Sutra by hand, Meiban joined the project at the age of 58.

     When Hachioji Castle fell and the Later Hojo Clan was destroyed in 1590, the 10th priest, Raisho, and Priest Yukaku of Seiren-ji Temple were lighting a sacred fire to pray for the victory of the clan, and were killed in a fire.

     The Nakajima Aircraft Company made fighter aircrafts in the Musashi Plant.  As the plant was bombed by the U.S. Air Force, they built an underground plant in Hachioji, which was targeted by the air force next.  At 20:55 on August 1, 1945, an air-raid alert was issued in Hachioji City.  After 00:00 the following morning, 169 Boeing B-29 Superfortresses raided the city, dropping 1600 tons of incendiary bombs for about 2 hours.  2.9 out of 3.5 square kilometers of urban area was burned, including Hosho-ji Temple.  Strangely, the Tamachi Red-Light District didn’t burn down.

Address: 998 Nishiterakatamachi, Hachioji, Tokyo 192-0153

Phone: 042-651-3050