Virtual Hachioji 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #10 Anyo-ji Temple

     Anyo-ji Temple was founded in the 1370’s by Priest Raichin (?-1377), and was revived by Priest Kakugen in the middle of the 17th century.

     In the 1370’s, the Kanto Deputy Shogun and the Regent of the Kanto Deputy Shogunate were still working together.  Uesugi Noriharu (?-1379), the then regent, worked and fought for Ashikaga Motouji (1340-1367), the first Kanto Deputy Shogun, and for Ujimitsu (1359-1398), the second Kanto Deputy Shogun.

     However, in 1379, the infighting within the central shogunate broke out.  Ujimitsu had an ambition to become a central shogun and tried to advance to Kyoto.  Noriharu tried to persuade him not to, and finally killed himself to stop him on March 7.  Ujimitsu still appointed Noriharu's brother, Norimasa (1335-1394), as the general of the Kanto Deputy Shogunate Army on March 21.  Norimasa left Kamakura but stopped in Izu Province.  Ujimitsu finally gave up his ambition for the time being.  Norimasa became the next Regent on April 15, and returned to Kamakura on the 28th of the same month.  The relationship between the shogun and the regent became delicate.  Anyo-ji Temple was founded on one of those delicate days.

     Tokugawa Iemitsu (1604-1651), the third shogun of the Tokugawa Shogunate, dissolved many clans to strengthen the power of the shogunate.  This increased the number of masterless and jobless samurai and destabilized society.  To restabilize the society, he strengthened the danka system.  Every citizen was supposed to belong to a Buddhist temple.  That was a business opportunity for would-be priests.  Kakugen took full advantage of the opportunity as Raiei did in Chofuku-ji Temple.

Address: 1084 Inumemachi, Hachioji, Tokyo 193-0802

Phone: 042-654-4226