Virtual Tama River 34 Kannon Pilgrimage #7 Josho-ji Temple

 

     Josho-ji Temple was founded by Priest Kenchi (?-1502).  Some say it was established in 1449, some others say in 1457, and the others say in 1497.

     The temple burned down in February, 1520, and in April, 1624.  The 11-faced Ekadasamukha statue is said to have been carved by Kasuga, a legendary Buddhist sculptor.

     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 he brought to Musashi Province on the back of the crane, or he carved it in Musashi Province.

     In the Edo Period, Tama River used to flood almost once every 6 years.  One night, when it had been raining for days and nights, the river flooded and Shukugawara Village was about to get deluged.  The villagers hurried to a nearby hill, and noticed a white rope stretching to them from a pine tree on the hilltop.  Depending on the rope, all the villagers evacuated.  Next morning, they found a white snake at the root of the pine tree.  They built a small shrine for the snake as an errand of Sarasvati, and named the tree Hanging-Rope Pine Tree.  The tree has died, but you can find a picture of it drawn by Tosui in 1858.

     Josho-ji Temple is also the 7th temple of Quasi-Saigoku Inage 33 Kannon Pilgrimage.

Address: 3 Chome-11-3 Shukugawara, Tama Ward, Kawasaki, Kanagawa 214-0021

Phone: 044-933-4678