Virtual Tama River 34 Kannon Pilgrimage #16 Joraku-ji Temple

 

     One oral tradition says Joraku-ji Temple was founded by Gyoki (668-749).  Another says it was established by Ennin (794-864).  Mamiya Kotonobu (1777-1841), who compiled the New Chorography on Musashi Province, turned down the both stories as fantasies.

     Priest Ryojun revived the temple in 1558, so the temple must have been founded by the time, presumably some generations before.

     In 1546, Ashikaga Haruuji (1508-1560), the 4th Kanto Deputy Shogun in Koga, was defeated by Hojo Ujiyasu (1515-1571), and was confined to Hatano Village, Sagami Province, in 1554.  His son, Yoshiuji (1541-1583), became the 5th Kanto Daputy Shogun in Koga in 1552.  He was a puppet of Ujiyasu.  In 1554, his coming-of-age ceremony was held in Kasai Castle under the guardianship of Ujiyasu.  In 1570, he finally moved to Koga Castle in the custody of Ujiyasu's 3rd son, Ujiteru (1542-1590).  Joraku-ji Temple was revived when the ancien regime in the Kanto Region was coming to its end.  It is unknown what Ryojun had in his mind.  The sorrow for the past?  The hope for the future?  Or…..?

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