The Kozukue 33 Kannon Pilgrimage was organized in 1732, far before Yokohama City was born. In those days, the Tsurumi River flooded almost every year. To memorialize the flood victims and to pray for protection from flooding, Takino Aisho wanted to organize a 33 Kannon pilgrimage, and consulted with Priest Soun in Hosho-ji Temple, the #33 temple of the Kozukue 33 Kannon Pilgrimage today. The priest, with his colleague Priest Choan, visited Priest Tenyo in Senkoku-ji Temple, the #1 temple today. The three reached an agreement and visited suitable temples in the Kozukue Domain, encouraging them to join their attempt. They succeeded in organizing 33 temples, and applied to the Tokugawa Shogunate government for the foundation of a new 33 Kannon pilgrimage.
In 1756, 24 years after its foundation, the member temples displayed their Avalokitesvara statues. Since then, the member temples have displayed their Avalokitesvara statues every 12 years, in the Year of Rat. The pilgrimage came to be also called the Zodiac Rat Year 33 Kannon Pilgrimage. 2020 is the Year of Rat.
288 years have passed. The centuries have witnessed the title of #9 being handed over from Urashima-dera Temple to Tokuon-ji Temple; #11 from Jigen-ji Temple to Shoin-ji Temple; and #23 from Mannen-ji Temple to Tokuon-ji Temple. In #33 Hosho-ji Temple, there still stands a stone monument which records us the list of the original 33 member temples.
Virtual Kozukue 33 Kannon Pilgrimage in Yokohama #1 Senkoku-ji Temple
Senkoku-ji Temple was founded in 1523 as a Buddhist college.
The Guide to Famous Edo Sites was published in 1834 and 1836. In a picture of the guidebook, Senkoku-ji Temple was drawn, with almost the same size of the precincts and buildings today. Its deity is the statue of Cintamanicakra, who usually has 6 arms and holds chintamani (a wish-fulfilling jewel) in one of the six.
Address: 256 Kozukuecho, Kohoku Ward, Yokohama, Kanagawa 222-0036
Phone: 045-472-9665
Virtual Kozukue 33 Kannon Pilgrimage in Yokohama #2 Sanne-ji Temple
Sanne-ji Temple is said to have been built by Sasaki Takatsuna (1160-1214). The temple name "sanne" is derived from the meeting Maitreya will hold after she/he/it descends from Tusita to the world and attains enlightenment to complete Buddha's teaching under the Ryuge Tree (a kind of the Tree of Life). The meeting will be called Ryuge Sanne and will be held 5.67 billion years after Buddha's death. That means we still have another 5,669,997,597 years to wait for it.
The Hayagriva temple near Sanne-ji Temple was dedicated to Takatsuna's favorite horse, Ikezuki. The horse-headed Hayagriva is one of the 6 metamorphoses of Avalokitesvara.
Address: 730 Toriyamacho, Kohoku Ward, Yokohama, Kanagawa 222-0035
Phone: 045-472-4728
Virtual Kozukue 33 Kannon Pilgrimage in Yokohama #3 Saisho-ji Temple
Saisho-ji Temple is supposed to have been founded either by Priest Kokaku (?-1470) or by Priest Zenyu (?-1652). There is a burial mound, which is about 3 meters in diameter, in the precincts, but it is said that there used to be 13 of them. Although it is not recorded who were buried inside them, legend has it that those who had been killed in war had been buried there. 13 were killed at a time? Or one after another? When? Why? Nothing is known. They might have been an ancient tumuli of a powerful family in the area.
Address: 2713 Sugetacho, Kanagawa Ward, Yokohama, Kanagawa 221-0864
Phone: 045-471-9153
Virtual Kozukue 33 Kannon Pilgrimage in Yokohama #4 Sensho-ji Temple
Sensho-ji Temple was founded by Myoyo (?-1616), so its establishment should have been completed by the turn of the 17th century. The main deity is the Amidaba statue, which is about 85 centimeters tall. It has a Kannon-do building, with the statue of Cintamanicakra, who usually has 6 arms and holds chintamani (a wish-fulfilling jewel) in one of the six. The statue is said to have been made by Unkei (?-1223).
Address: 766 Sugetacho, Kanagawa Ward, Yokohama, Kanagawa 221-0864
Phone: 045-471-6717
Virtual Kozukue 33 Kannon Pilgrimage in Yokohama #5 Shokan-ji Temple
Nakata Tozaemon (?-1635) built a small hermitage in Kawashima Village in 1594 as a memorial to his father and other family members, who were killed in the fighting when Odawara Castle fell and the Later Hojo Clan surrendered in 1590. Later, he invited Priest Shugyu to make it a Buddhist temple. Its main deity is his father's portable guardian Arya Avalokitesvara statue. The temple has a Kannon-do building too, and its deity is the statue of Cintamanicakra, who usually has 6 arms and holds chintamani (a wish-fulfilling jewel) in one of the six. Besides the building, there stands a stone monument dated 1344. The precincts might have been holy for the family and villagers since those days.
Where did the Cintamanicakra statue come from?
It is recorded that Kasahara Nobutame died in 1577. Nobutame's son was Yasukatsu, whose son was Terushige, whose son was Shigemasa, who worked for Tokugawa Ieyasu. Shigemasa's son was Nobushige, whose adopted son was Tametsugu, whose son was Nobutane. They all obtained the samurai name of Echizen-no-kami. In 1722, when one of the Echizen-no-kami was the head of the family, his wife and daughter died one after another, and also the domain was hit hard by a flood of the Tsurumi River. He carved 33 statues of Cintamanicakra for himself, chose 33 temples which were associated with Kannon in his domain, and presented the statues to them. Later in 1732, those 33 temples were organized into the Kozukue 33 Kannon Pilgrimage.
With the Nakata Family returning to farming after being samurai, Shokan-ji Temple became less prosperous. After the expulsion of Buddhism at the beginning of the Meiji Restoration, no priest lived in the temple. Then, in 1928, the 14th head of the family, Yosaku, repaired the building and invited Priest Shunmyo to revive the temple.
Address: ４５-4 Higashikawashimacho, Hodogaya Ward, Yokohama, Kanagawa 240-0041
Phone: 045-381-0682
Virtual Kozukue 33 Kannon Pilgrimage in Yokohama #6 Zuiryu-in Temple
Kannon-ji Temple was founded in 1441 by Priest Eiso, who died in 1529. At the time, the temple was no more than a small hermitage. If he had founded the temple at the age of 20, he might have died at the age of 108. Not impossible, but you can believe it or not. If he had founded the temple before the age of 11, the youngest a samurai came of age, he might have died in his 80’s or 90’s. Quite possible. If he was forced to live in the priesthood in spite of, say, being executed, there must have been a serious incident in 1441.
Ashikaga Harutora was born on June 13, 1394. At the age of 9, he entered Seiren-in Temple, on June 21, 1403. On March 4, 1408, he became a priest, and was named Gien. Ashikaga Yoshikazu (1407-1425) and Yoshimochi (1386-1428) died of disease one after another, and the shogunate became vacant. Chief vassals assembled at Iwashimizu-Hachiman-gu Shrine and decided the next shogun by lot on January 17, 1428. Gien became the sixth shogun, Yoshinori (1394-1441), who assassinated his political opponents one by one.
Ashikaga Mochiuji (1398-1439), the deputy shogun in Kamakura, was forced to commit suicide by Ashikaga Yoshinori (1394-1441), the then shogun. Yuki Ujitomo (1402-1441) sheltered Mochiuji’s 2 sons, Shuno-maru and Yasuo-maru, in his castle, and rebelled against Yoshinori in 1440. On April 16, 1441, his castle fell and he and his son were killed in the fights. Shuno-maru and Yasuo-maru were arrested and were to be transferred to Kyoto, but on the way, at Tarui, Mino Province, they were killed, with their death poems left:
“Summer weeds,
Their flowers blooming in Aono Field
Who knows their future?” (Shuno-maru)
“Who knows the future?
Our lives are to be limited today
Here away from home.” (Yasuo-maru)
Yoshinori also killed his younger brother, Priest Gisho (1404-1441). He also killed his powerful vassals, Isshiki Yoshitsura (1400-1440), Toki Mochiyori (?-1440), and others. Finally he was assassinated by his vassal, Akamatsu Mitsusuke (1381-1441) on June 24, 2 months and 8 days after the execution of the 2 young brothers: Shuno-maru and Yasuo-maru.
Anything might have happened in 1441. A too-young-to-kill son of any samurai on any side could have been confined to a small hermitage in a small village near Kamakura in 1441. The 2 young brothers’ younger brother, Shigeuji (1438-1497), survived. He later became a deputy shogun in Kamakura, succeeding his late father, Mochiuji.
Eiso survived too. Somehow or another, he survived. So, he could return to secular life, to become a samurai. However, Eiso didn’t. For some reason, he didn’t. Instead of becoming a samurai and killing his opponents as Yoshinori had done, he had to witness countless fights and assassinations after 1441. He even witnessed the Onin War from 1467 to 1477, which drove Japanese society into the Warring States Period. Who knows whose future? In 1529, when Eiso passed away, Honda Shigetsugu (1529-1596) had barely been born. He was to join the first fight of Tokugawa Ieyasu (1542-1616), and also was to help him suppress other war lords and bring Japan under control. Did Eiso know the future?
About 20 generations later, Priest Somo (?-1679) lived in the hermitage, and made it a temple.
Address: 501 Kawashimacho, Hodogaya Ward, Yokohama, Kanagawa 240-0045
Phone: 045-371-3574
Virtual Kozukue 33 Kannon Pilgrimage in Yokohama #7 Hongoku-ji Temple
Legend has it that Eisai (1141-1215) founded Hongaku-ji Temple in 1226. Simply inconsistent. Maybe it was the followers of Eisai who founded the temple. Eisai studied in China and belonged to the Linji Sect of Chan (or Zen in Japanese) Buddhism, and the temple belonged to the sect at first.
The flames of war struck the temple in 1510.
Ueda Masatada's ancestors were members of one of the Musashi Seven Corps.
Most part of Musashi Province was plateaus deeply covered with volcanic-ash soil, which was suitable for stock farming, not for rice growing. In ancient times, many of the naturalized Silla people were sent to Musashi Province, and engaged in stock farming. That stimulated people there, and many stock farms were set up, including 6 imperial stock farms. The custodians of those farms later formed small-scale samurai families. By marriage, those samurai families composed 7 corps on the plateaus in the province.
Masatada had been fighting for the Ogigayatsu-Uesugi Clan. He fought hard in the Chokyo War (1487-1505), won in local battles, and succeeded in occupying Kanagawa Port, which had been ruled by their opponent, the Yamanouchi-Uesugi Clan. Unluckily, in the broader war situation, the Ogigayatsu-Uesugi Clan surrendered, and Masatada had to return the port to the Yamanouchi-Uesugi Clan. Luckily, Ise Sozui (1456-1519) was extending his military power into Sagami Province and had occupied the western half of the province already. In response to Sozui’s tactics, Masatada raised an army in Gongenyama Castle near the border between Sagami and Musashi Provinces. Unluckily, the castle was near Hongaku-ji Temple, which was badly damaged in the fighting. Masatada? The Yamanouchi-Uesugi and Ogigayatsu-Uesugi Clans united and defeated Sozui. Masatada escaped to Sozui’s new stronghold, Odawara Castle, and died of disease there.
The Ise Family became the Later Hojo Clan, and occupied almost all of the Kanto Region. However, they were defeated by Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1536-1598), and his son, Hideyori (1593-1615), was killed by Tokugawa Ieyasu (1542-1616). The Pax Tokugawa realized, and lasted for 2 centuries. On one of those peaceful days, Yajirobe and Kitahachi, the 2 main characters in the comic book, Tokaidochu Hizakurige (known as Shank’s Mare in English), had a drink, enjoying the magnificent sea view from a Kanagawa Town near the temple.
Time flies. On one of the turbulent last days of the Tokugawa Shogunate, July 4, 1859, Hongaku-ji Temple was requisitioned as the U.S. Consulate in Kanagawa. They militarily appreciated the magnificent sea view from the temple. If you want to know the details of that day, please check Joseph Heco's writing. He was born in Kansai, and made a sightseeing trip to Edo one day. On his way back, his boat was wrecked and he was picked up by the American freighter Aukland. He was sent to San Francisco, and became an interpreter.
Let’s get back to the temple. Even today, you can find some parts of it painted in black, red, green, and white. The consulate staff might have preferred the colors to the beauty through a sense of austerity and antiquity. Whether you like the colors or not, that was the first use of paint in Japan. And, in July, the Japan Painting Contractors Association holds a memorial service annually.
Address: 1-2 Takashimadai, Kanagawa Ward, Yokohama, Kanagawa 221-0833
Phone: 045-322-0191
Virtual Kozukue 33 Kannon Pilgrimage in Yokohama #8 Soko-ji Temple
It is unknown when Soko-ji Temple was founded, but, according to a written record on Izu Islands, when they founded Sofuku-ji Temple in 1440 in Hachijo Island, they invited a priest from Soko-ji Temple.
Soko-ji Temple was built on the site of Kannon Fort, which had been built by Mamiya Shirozaemon. The fort was along the same ridge with Gongenyama Castle. Mamiya Hikojiro and the family members fought for the Ueda Family, indirectly for the Later Hojo Clan, against the Yamanouchi-Uesugi and Ogigayatsu-Uesugi Clans in 1510.
Later, Mamiya Yasutoshi (1518-1590) became a vassal of the Later Hojo Clan and managed the Izu Naval Force.
What were the Izu aval Forces?
The Izu Peninsula is composed almost solely of Izu Province, along with other tiny islands. It had many headlands and coves, and seemed like a smaller version of Kii Province, which lay along the southern coast of the Kii Peninsula. As Kii Province had sea peoples, so too did Izu Province. During the Warring States Period, those sea peoples were organized as naval forces by the Later Hojo Clan. So, the Izu Naval Forces were sometimes called the Hojo Naval Force. After the collapse of the clan, those sea forces all returned to fishing or farming.
Here, let me introduce two of the several families which belonged to the Izu Naval Forces.
The Shimizu Family’s ancestry is not clear. Ise Shinkuro (1432-1519), who would be called Hojo Soun after his death, moved from Kyoto to Suruga Province in 1469, established himself as the lord of Kosokuji Castle in 1487, and formed a small but independent domain around the castle. In 1491, he unified Izu Province. The Shimizu Family was presumed to be composed of Shinkuro’s vassals and a local powerful family through marriage or something.
Shimizu Yasuhide (1532-1591) was one of 5 chief retainers under Hojo Ujiyasu (1515-1571), Ise Shinkuro’s grandson. The five chief retainers used different color banners; yellow, red, blue, white, and black. Ysuhide’s banners were in a white color. The Shimizu Family had been based in Kanoyazaki Castle, and Yasuhide was additionally stationed at Shimoda Castle in 1588 or 1589 to build up a defense against Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1537-1598). Shimoda Port was one of the most important ports along the Eastern Sea Region, and played an important role even at the end of the Edo Period. Yasuhide was the number 1 among the Izu Naval Forces.
In 1590, Shimoda Castle was attacked by Hideyoshi’s navy; which was composed of a troop of 2,500 of Chosokabe Motochika (1538-1599), a troop of 1,500 of Kuki Yoshitaka (1542-1600), the troop of 1,300 of Wakisaka Yasuharu (1554-1626), and more. Yasuhide surrendered the castle and gave in on April the 23rd, after holding it for over 50 days with a troop of 600.
The Suzuki Family, another relatively well-documented component of the Izu Naval Forces, originated from the ancient Hozumi Clan. The founder of the clan was Nigihayahi (?-?), who arrived at Kawachi Province and entered Yamato Province, preceding the eastward military expedition of Emperor Jinmu (?-585 BC?), the legendary first Emperor of Japan.
Generations and generations later, Hozumi Kunioki (?-?) was a kind of priest under a kind of bishop in Kumano Hayatama Taisha Shrine in Muro County, Kii Province. His second son, Motoyuki (865-926), moved to Kaifu County in the same province, became a priest of Fujishiro Shrine, and started calling his family Suzuki.
Suzuki Shigezane (?-?) was the 16th priest of the Shrine. The position had been handed down by the Suzuki Family for generations. His first son, Shigetomo (?-?), was ordered by Hojo Takatoki (1303-1333), the 14th and last Regent of the Kamakura Shogunate, to fight against Prince Moriyoshi (1308-1335), the son of Emperor Go-Daigo (1288-1339), who attempted to seize power from the shogunate, and actually attacked the prince in Kumano, Kii Province. By ill chance, the shogunate collapsed in 1333, and Shigetomo got into a difficult situation.
In 1336, Shigetomo got away to Izu Province with about 30 of his vassals by sea, and barricaded themselves in Enashi Village there. In the same year, the Kenmu Restoration Regime under Emperor Go-Daigo collapsed, and Shigetomo returned to Kii Province.
On November the 30th, 1351, the battle between Ashikaga Takauji (1305-1358) and his younger brother, Tadayoshi (1306-1352) broke out around the Satta Pass in Suruga Province at the dawn of the Muromachi Shogunate under the Ashikaga Clan, Shigetomo took Tadayoshi’s side. By another ill chance, on January the 5th, 1352, Tadayoshi surrendered to Takauji, was confined to Jomyo-ji Temple in Kamakura, and died a sudden death on February the 26th.
No matter whether Tadayoshi died of a disease or whether he was poisoned to death as the “Taiheiki” (“Chronicle of Great Peace'', a Japanese historical military epic written in the late 14th century) writes, Shigetomo fled to Enashi Village again to live there until his death. Thus the Suzuki Family in Enashi started, and the head of the Suzuki Family in Fujishiro was succeeded by Shigetomo’s younger brother, Shigetsune (?-?).
Shigetomo, however, outlived Ashikaga Takauji as well as Tadayoshi.
Ashikaga Motouji (1340-1397), Takauji’s 4th son, strived for the establishment of the control and governance over the Kanto Region as a kind of Deputy Shogun based in Kamakura. Shigetomo served Motouji, and in 1367, was appointed as an admiral in Izu and Sagami Provinces by Ashikaga Ujimitsu (1359-1398), the son of Motouji and the second Deputy Shogun in Kamakura.
In 1491, Ise Shinkuro (1432-1519) unified Izu Province. When he attacked the Kanto Deputy Shogun, Ashikaga Chachamaru (?-1491), Suzuki Shigemune(?-?), the head of the Suzuki Family in Enashi at that time, took Shinkuro’s side. According to a fragment of the family records which survived a huge tsunami in 1498, Shigemune might have had communication with Shintaro even before Shintaro’s raid into Izu Province.
When Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1536-1598) attacked the Hojo Clan, which Shintaro started, in 1590, Shigemune’s grandson, Shigeaki (?-?) was killed in a defensive battle near Nirayama Castle, his great grandson, Shigeharu (?-?), was killed in another defensive battle near Odawara Castle. Shigeharu’s younger brother, Shigeuji (1576-1645), fled far North to Koyase Village, Nukanobu County, Mutsu Province, the northernmost province at that time, with 7 samurai, 24 followers, and his mother, who was one of the four daughters of Hojo Ujimasa (1538-1590), who surrendered his castle, Odawara Castle, to Hideyoshi and committed harakiri suicide himself.
Kajiwara Kagemune (?-?) was effectively a Fleet Admiral of Hojo Naval Forces, although he was not one of native Izu Sea People. He was from Arida County, Kii Province, and used to be a sea trader. In one document, he was even mentioned as a pirate.
Hojo Ujiyasu (1515-1571) permitted him trading between Kii and Sagami provinces and virtually hired him as a kind of guest samurai. Kagemune was said to have brought an atake-bune warship to Kanto first. Only Kii Province, which was abundant in timber, could supply atake-bune in the 16th century.
The Later Hojo Clan left some documents and records. Hojo Ujiyasu wrote to Kagemune asking him to stay in Izu Province for maritime defense there. When the Hojo Clan fought against the Satomi Clan in Kazusa Province, the success of the Kii people was recorded. Kagemune also signed many trading documents and contracts published by the Hojo Clan along with Ando Ryosei (?-?), an old vassal of the clan.
Ando Ryosei served three generations of the Later Hojo Clan, Ujiyasu (1515-1571), Ujimasa (1538-1590), and Ujinao (1562-1591), as a treasurer magistrate. According to one record, he became a magistrate by 1563. He jointly edited the list of estates and obligations under the clan. Official square wooden measuring cups used in Hojo's domain were nicknamed "ando cups" after him. They were widely believed to have been worked out by Ryosei. His name was last recorded in September, 1589, when the Tama River flooded, and, consequently, conflicts over borders broke out. Ryosei was sent there as an inspector. It is not known whether he lived another year to witness the last days of the clan or not.
When the Later Hojo Clan was attacked by Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1536-1598) in 1590, Kajiwara Kagemune had an atake-bune warship with 50 samurai and 50 oarsmen aboard, equipped with a cannon. Kuki Yoshitaka (1542-1600), an admiral of Hideyoshi's, on the other hand, had 6 atake-bune warships, each with 200 oarsmen and 3 50-meter-ranged cannons.
After the war, Hojo Ujimasa, the son of Ujiyasu, committed harakiri suicide, and Ujimasa's son, Ujinao was placed under house arrest in Mt. Koya in Kii Province. Presumably, Kagemune returned to Kii. His name can be last recognized in a thank-you letter from Ujinao to Kagemune for 50 mackerels in 1591.
Let’s get back to talking about the Mamiya Family.
Mamiya Nobutaka (1553-1584), was also a captain of the naval forces, and fought for Tokugawa Ieyasu (1542-1616). He was killed in the 1584 Siege of Kanie, which was fought between Ieyasu and Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1536-1598). The Kuki Naval Forces were on Hideyoshi’s side and had a large warship called an Atakebune.
Mamiya Rinzo (1775-1844), who explored Sakhalin, was their descendant.
As the fort’s name shows, the site might have been Kannon precincts from the older times. The Kannon statue is about 18-centimeters tall, and is said to have been made by Visvakarman. Visvakarman meant a foreigner craftsman.
When the Port of Yokohama was opened to foreign countries, James Curtis Hepburn (1815–1911) stayed in the temple. He was an American physician and Christian missionary. He is known for the Hepburn romanization system, which transcribed the Japanese language into the Latin alphabet. He also published a Japanese–English dictionary.
Address: 10-6 Kogaya, Kanagawa Ward, Yokohama, Kanagawa 221-0051
Phone: 045-461-5617
Virtual Kozukue 33 Kannon Pilgrimage in Yokohama #9 Keiun-ji Temple
On July 2, 1479, a burning chariot visited Zojo-ji Temple to pick up Priest Onyo. Onyo had founded Keiun-ji Temple in 1447. What is a burning chariot? It was believed to be an apparition who steals corpses from a funeral or a cemetery. When the Port of Yokohama was opened to foreign countries, the temple was used as the consulate of France, and Gustave Duchesne de Bellecourt (1817-1881) stayed there.
Keiun-ji Temple has another story:
Urashima Taro visited the Underwater Dragon Palace in 478, and came back to his hometown in 825. On his departure from the palace, the princess gave him a mysterious box and a Kannon statue. When he got back to his hometown, his parents had (of course) already passed away. In front of their grave, he shed a lot of tears, which petrified into a stone. The stone is called “namida-ishi" (a tear stone), and is kept in Jobutsu-ji Temple near Keiun-ji Temple even today. Taro built a hermitage by the grave to enshrine the statue. That was the start of Kanfukuju-ji Temple, whose nickname was Urashima-ji. “Kanfukuju” means to observe longevity.
In the spring of 1867, a conflagration hit Kanagawa Town. The fire spread to Kanfukuju-ji Temple, and the statue was moved to Keiun-ji Temple in the aftermath. The temple succeeded to the nickname “Urashima-ji” too.
Address: 18-2 Kanagawahoncho, Kanagawa Ward, Yokohama, Kanagawa 221-0046
Phone: 045-441-8310
Virtual Kozukue 33 Kannon Pilgrimage in Yokohama #10 Tofuku-ji Temple
The main deity of Tofuku-ji Temple is the statue of Cintamanicakra, who usually has 6 arms and holds chintamani (a wish-fulfilling jewel) in one of the six, which is believed to be a scabbard, which has a true statue in it.
Address: 1 Chome-3-5 Tsurumi, Tsurumi Ward, Yokohama, Kanagawa 230-0063
Phone: 045-581-5066
Virtual Kozukue 33 Kannon Pilgrimage in Yokohama #11 Shoin-ji Temple
Priest Myokan (1273-1354) worked as the head of Kencho-ji Temple in Kamakura. After he retired, he spent his remaining years in a hermitage, Seito-an Temple. Priest Kozan (?- 1675) changed the name of the temple to Shoin-ji. Surprisingly, the main deity, the wooden sitting statue of Amitabha, was appraised for being carved in the 8th century, and is preserved in the Tokyo National Museum now. It is unknown where it came from, and what had been done with it for 5 centuries.
The Avalokitesvara statue? There is a Komagata Tenman-gu Shrine on the other side of the ridge. The precincts used to have the Kannon-do Hall with the 11-faced Ekadasamukha statue, but it was moved to Shoin-ji Temple after the Gods and Buddhas Separation Order of 1868.
Shoin-ji Temple has the grave of Satomi Yoshitaka (?-1650). His registered name as samurai was Tadashige, with Tada given by the then shogun. He pretended to use the name Yoshitaka for a certain reason.
Satomi Yoshiyori (1543-1587) was a pirate warlord based in Awa Province, at the eastern side of the gateway to Edo Bay. From Ancient times, crossing and passing through the gateway was tough, and even a legendary hero, Yamato Takeru, had to offer the life of his wife. Yoshiyori ruled the whole Chiba Peninsula and had the command of Edo Bay. After the establishment of the Tokugawa Shogunate in 1603, his son, Yoshitaka, was moved to an inland province, Kozuke Province. On October 1, 1613, he was fired as a daimyo, a Japanese feudal lord, for dereliction of duty, and was spending his jobless life at Ogose Village in the province. When his younger brother-in-law, Sakai Tadakatsu (1594-1647), was promoted to Dewa Province in 1622, Yoshitaka was hired and moved to the province. In 1642, when Tadakatsu was sick in bed, Yoshitaka tried to replace Tadakatsu's heir with his son, only to be obstructed by the Tokugawa Shogunate in 1647. Later, he retired to Tsurumi, Musashi Province. One day, he made up his mind to achieve nirvana while still alive to save people from a plague. That means he fasted until his death. The villagers built Jigen-do Hall where he died. He became known for answering prayers for curing smallpox. The disease, against which he died, might have been smallpox. According to an official paper handed in by his son, Yoshihisa (1634-?), to the Sakai Clan, however, Yoshitaka died of a disease in September, 1650.
At the foot of Shoin-ji Temple, there used to be a small river port, where boats from the sea unloaded. After struggling for something throughout his life, did Yoshitaka want to sense the sea again in his last days by living in Tsurumi?
Address: 1 Chome-18-2 Higashiterao, Tsurumi Ward, Yokohama, Kanagawa 230-0077
Phone: 045-571-1701
Virtual Kozukue 33 Kannon Pilgrimage in Yokohama #12 Kanjo-in Temple
Kanjo-in Temple was founded by Priest Zentsu (?-1560). Its foundation year isn’t recorded. The main deity used to be the Acalanatha statue, which burnt down in 1856. After the fire, the 11-faced Ekadasamukha statue was moved to the precincts from the Kannon-do Hall, which used to be located between the temple and Okurayama Station today. The statue was carved by Unkei (?-1223). The temple exhibits Buddharupa statues from Thailand, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, and Tibet.
Address: 2 Chome-8-7 Okurayama, Kohoku Ward, Yokohama, Kanagawa 222-0037
Phone: 045-531-2054
Virtual Kozukue 33 Kannon Pilgrimage in Yokohama #13 En'o-in Temple
It is unknown when En'o-ji Temple was founded, but its main deity, the thousand-armed Sahasrabhuja statue was said to have been given by Prince Shotoku (574-622).
The temple holds a religious training to walk on fire every October. Not only mountain ascetics but ordinary citizens can take part in it.
Address: 4098 Shinyoshidacho, Kohoku Ward, Yokohama, Kanagawa 223-0056
Phone: 045-592-3664
Virtual Kozukue 33 Kannon Pilgrimage in Yokohama #14 Mitama-do Hall in Shofuku-ji Temple
It is unknown when Shofuku-ji Temple was founded. The second generation priest was Shukaku (?-1624). So, it might have been built by the end of the 16th century.
The precincts has Mitama-do Hall, which is listed the #14 temple of Kozukue 33 Kannon Pilgrimage. So, it may have the Avalokitesvara statue in it.
Address: 4569 Shinyoshidacho, Kohoku Ward, Yokohama, Kanagawa 223-0056
Phone: 045-591-1963
Virtual Kozukue 33 Kannon Pilgrimage in Yokohama #15 Saiho-ji Temple
Saiho-ji Temple was founded by Priest Shoken (1138-1196) at Sasame, Kamakura, in 1190, when Minamoto Yoritomo (1147-1199) was establishing the Kamakura Shogunate. Shoken's father was Fujiwara Michinori (1106?-1159), who was killed by Fujiwara Nobuyori (1133-1159), who was killed by Taira Kiyomori (1118-1181), whose children were killed by Yoritomo.
Later, the temple was moved to Gokurakuji, Kamakura, and then to Nippa in 1492. At the former site of the temple in Kamakura, there stands a stone memorial tower for the repose of Uesugi Norimasa (1335-1394), which he built for himself while he was still alive. Norimasa was a regent for the deputy shogun in Kamakura. His elder brother, Noriharu (?-1379), had committed suicide as a remonstrance against the military gamble Ashikaga Ujimitsu (1359-1398), the deputy shogun in Kamakura, who was stepping in on the Koryaku Incident in Kyoto.
After witnessing many deaths, the temple was moved to Nippa, where there used to be a river port along the Tsurumi River.
Address: 2586 Nippacho, Kohoku Ward, Yokohama, Kanagawa 223-0057
Phone: 045-531-2370
Virtual Kozukue 33 Kannon Pilgrimage in Yokohama #16 Sennen-ji Temple
The statue of Arya Avalokitesvara is said to have been carved by Ennin (794-864). However, it is said that Seitaro (?-1612) founded Sennen-ji Temple in 1601. Quite a big time lag. Where had the statue been for a half and 7 centuries?
Address: 1578 Nippacho, Kohoku Ward, Yokohama, Kanagawa 223-0057
Phone: 045-531-1518
Virtual Kozukue 33 Kannon Pilgrimage in Yokohama #17 Ryuun-ji Temple
Ryuun-ji Temple was founded by Priest Junyo (?-1597) either in 1550 or in 1555. The main deity is the Amitabha statue carved by Enchin (814-891). The Avalokitesvara statue was carved by Genshin (942-1017).
Address: 1300 Higashigatacho, Tsuzuki Ward, Yokohama, Kanagawa 224-0045
Phone: 045-941-3440
Virtual Kozukue 33 Kannon Pilgrimage in Yokohama #18 Kannon-ji Temple
When and by whom Kannon-ji temple was founded is unknown. The main deity is the wooden sitting statue of Arya Avalokitesvara, which is about 30 centimeters tall.
Address: 2565 Ikonobecho, Tsuzuki Ward, Yokohama, Kanagawa 224-0053
Phone: 045-931-4739
Virtual Kozukue 33 Kannon Pilgrimage in Yokohama #19 Chofuku-ji Temple
Chofuku-ji Temple was founded by Priest Chiku, whose childhood name was Fukuju-maru, a son of Tada Yukitsuna (?-?). The Tada Clan had been based in the Tada-sho Manor, Settsu Province, since the time of Mitsunaka (912-997). Yukitsuna fought for Minamoto Yoritomo (1147-1199) and helped establish the Kamakura Shogunate in 1192. But after the establishment, Yukitsuna was expelled and the manor was confiscated by Yoritomo. Yukitsuna went missing.
The written history of Chofuku-ji Temple claims the temple was founded to pray for the comfort of Yukitsuna after his death. Did he die near Kamakura? Another tradition says that Yukitsuna fled to Amakusa, Higo Province, and died there. Yes, Yukitsuna went missing.
When Yukitsuna’s wife got pregnant with Fukuju-maru, Avalokitesvara appeared in her dream. 7 days after his birth, she heard the divine chant, “Fukuju Kai Muryo '' and named him Fukuju-maru. He was considered to be a reincarnation of Avalokitesvara, and read the Saddharma Pundarika Sutra Vol.25 at the age of 2. When he was 7 years old, he made up his mind to be a priest.
Yukitsuna had 7 sons. All of them went missing except the 4th, Mototsuna, who was killed in battle and whose head was displayed to the public in 1221. It is unknown where Fukuju-maru or Chiku fell among the 7, but he survived as a priest. With all the beautiful stories put aside, he survived, and he prayed for the comfort of his family in the other world. It’s a familiar story that a too-young-to-kill son of a once powerful samurai was confined in a small hermitage in a small village near Kamakura.
Chofuku-ji Temple changed its name into Jufuku-ji in 1716.
Chofuku-maru was born on January 28, 1716. His father, Tokugawa Yoshimune (1684-1751), became the 8th shogun of the Tokugawa Shogunate in 1716. Everyone and everybody was supposed to shun using the heir’s name. Actually, Chofuku-maru became the 9th shogun, Ieshige (1712-1761).
Having witnessed the unreasonable and outrageous deeds of powers, Jufuku-ji Temple stands quietly in a residential area of Chigasaki today.
Address: 3 Chome-25-6 Chigasakihigashi, Tsuzuki Ward, Yokohama, Kanagawa 224-0033
Phone: 045-945-1576
Virtual Kozukue 33 Kannon Pilgrimage in Yokohama #20 Shinpuku-ji Temple
Shinpuku-ji Temple has a graveyard. The oldest gravestone is that of Priest Joyo (-1682). He is supposed to have founded the temple, but nothing sure is known about the foundation.
The Kannon-do Hall is supposed to have been built by the beginning of the 18th century. The deity is the 1000-armed Sahasrabhuja statue. A Sahasrabhuja statue usually has 42 arms, for a physical reason, but this one has only 8. Legend has it that it was carved out of Japanese cypress timber by Gyoki (668-749), but science shows it was made in the 12th century.
Shinpuku-ji Temple used to have a main hall with an Amitabha statue, which was made in the assembled-wood method presumably around the turn of the 14th century. The statue is in the Seiryo-ji style. The prototype to the Seiryo-ji style in japan was brought from China by Cho'nen (938-1016). He had copied the Amitabha statue carved out of gosirsa-candana timber under the order of Udayana while Buddha was still alive. With copyright infringement put aside, the statue looks somewhat exotic.
As the main hall got decrepit, the temple discarded it and changed the Kannon-do Hall into the main hall of the temple. Accordingly, the Sahasrabhuja statue became the main deity. Having achieved enlightenment, the Amitabha statue, without greed, stands quietly and peacefully in a repository today.
There stands a torreya nucifera tree, which is supposed to be about 400 years old. That means the tree has been there as long as the temple. Or a little longer.
Address: 432-8 Edacho, Aoba Ward, Yokohama, Kanagawa 225-0013
Phone: 045-911-4315
Virtual Kozukue 33 Kannon Pilgrimage in Yokohama #21 Yakuo-ji Temple
It is unknown when Shuho-in Temple was founded. Presumably, it was Priest Shunyo (?-1684) who changed the temple name to Yakuo-ji.
The sitting Arya Avalokitesvara statue, which was carved by Genshin (942-1017), sits on the left side of the main hall.
The temple used to be located on the top of the hill in the east. In 1898, when villagers were gathering firewood in the hill, they made an open-fire to warm themselves. The fire spread across the hill, and burned down the temple. More than a decade later, Shirai Ichizo rebuilt the temple in its present place, under pressure from #22 Ozen-ji Temple to merge with #21 Yakuo-ji Temple. What if the consolidation had taken place? #21.5 Ozen-ji Temple?
Address: 259 Obacho, Aoba Ward, Yokohama, Kanagawa 225-0023
Phone: 045-973-3654
Virtual Kozukue 33 Kannon Pilgrimage in Yokohama #22 Ozen-ji Temple
In 757, Avalokitesvara appeared in the dream of Empress Koren (718-770) and said to her, “I’m in Musashi Province.” The empress commanded the search. They found a golden 5-centimeter tall Arya Avalokitesvara statue in Nihonmatsu Village, Tsuzuki County, Musashi Province. They built a temple and enshrined the statue there. The temple’s name? Nobody knows.
In 917, Emperor Daigo (885-930) gave it a new temple name, Ozen-ji. In 1333, when Nitta Yoshisada (1301-1338) attacked Kamakura, the temple was burned down. In 1370, it was rebuilt.
The temple has a by-story. In 1214, a sweet Japanese persimmon happened to be found in the nearby woods. It was the first sweet persimmon ever found in Japan. In 1333, when Priest Tokai was trying to rebuild the burnt-down temple, he rediscovered the sweet persimmon, and advised nearby farmers to graft its branches onto their astringent persimmon trees. The persimmon was named Zenjimaru. In 1921, they raised about 9,000 persimmon trees and produced 938 tons of persimmons, to ship them as far as Nagoya. In the 19th century, Zenjimaru was topped by Fuyu.
Ozen-ji Temple still grows the original Zenjimaru persimmon tree in the precincts.
Address: 940 Ozenji, Asao Ward, Kawasaki, Kanagawa 215-0013
Phone: 044-966-5135
Virtual Kozukue 33 Kannon Pilgrimage in Yokohama #23 Tokuon-ji Temple
Enmei-in Temple, no more than a hermitage, was built by the end of the 10th century.
In the middle of the century, the foreign captives in Dewa Province revolted. Who were those foreign captives? In the 8th century, the Japanese central government kept occupying the north-eastern region of Honshu Island. In the process of the seizure, many peoples either surrendered or were captured. They and their descendants were exempted from taxes and given some food. Instead of growing rice as tax, they provided local specialties and their skills as hunting people.
In the middle of the century, Taira Masakado (?-940) rebelled against the central government and even tried to establish an independent country in the Kanto Region.
Those 2 rebellions were the buds of the birth of samurai.
In the upheaval, someone might have been confined in a hermitage to survive. The temple’s name, Enmei, literally means to prolong life. At the end of his confined life, what did he see as a Buddhist?
In 1355, Priest Tokai (?-1373) turned the hermitage into a temple, and named it Tokuon-ji.
In the latter half of the 17th century, Yanagisawa Nobutada (1659-1724) piously supported the temple. His wife also presented her guardian Sarasvati statue to the temple and built a shrine for the statue. The shrine also keeps an Arya Avalokitesvara statue in it.
Nobutada successfully moved up, and became the chief religious investigator of the Tokugawa Shogunate in 1707.
In 1709, Giovanni Battista Sidotti (1668–1714) infiltrated into Japan. He was an Italian Christian priest. He was arrested, and was confined until his death in Edo. He was investigated by Nobutada and Arai Hakuseki (1657-1725), who later published the Seiyo Kibun based on their conversations with him. Sidotti died from debility in an underground cell at the age of 46. As a Christian, what did he see at the end of his confined life?
Five years after Sidotti’s death, Nobutada received the Joseon Mission to Japan in 1719.
Address: 1892 Ondacho, Aoba Ward, Yokohama, Kanagawa 227-0065
Phone: 045-961-6593
Virtual Kozukue 33 Kannon Pilgrimage in Yokohama #24 Fukuju-in Temple
In 1671, Yamashita Ichiemon spared 5 acres of his field, with permission from the then lord, Takagi Morihisa (1599-1679), and Priest Choken (?-1689) founded Fukuju-in Temple in the premises. The main deity is the Acala statue.
The temple also has the Kannon-do Hall, which enshrines an 11-faced Ekadasamukha statue. Some argue that the hall was founded by the end of the 16th century, and that it is far older than the temple itself.
Among the Kozukue 33 Kannon Pilgrimage member temples, only Fukuju-in Temple is located in Machida City, Tokyo Prefecture.
Address: 3 Chome-3-5 Tsukushino, Machida, Tokyo 194-0001
Phone: 042-795-5361
Virtual Kozukue 33 Kannon Pilgrimage in Yokohama #25 Sezon-in Temple
Sezon-in Temple belongs to the Buzan School of the Shingi Sect of Shingon Buddhism. Sometimes, it is very hard for me to understand how a religion is divided, to say nothing of the differences between them.
It is unknown when the temple was founded. Priest Kakuban (1095-1144) established the Shingi Sect of Shingon Buddhism. Priest Senyo (1530-1604) built up the doctrine of the Buzan School. The Kozukue 33 Kannon Pilgrimage was organized in 1732, so it might have been sometime in the 17th century that Sezon-in Temple was founded. If not, if it was much older, there might have been some reason why a hermitage was built on the hillside of a small hill.
The main deity is the Arya Avalokitesvara statue.
Address: 1010 Kitahassakucho, Midori Ward, Yokohama, Kanagawa 226-0021
Phone: 045-931-4890
Virtual Kozukue 33 Kannon Pilgrimage in Yokohama #26 Kango-ji Temple
Kango-ji Temple was founded by Priest Inyu (1435-1519), who was born in Kubo Village (Miho Town today), Tsuzuki County, Musashi Province. Until recently, there was a well whose water was used to give Inyu his first bath. That means he was born as a baby of a powerful family. He entered the Buddhist priesthood in his early childhood. The simplest reason might have been that he was the second or the third son of a powerful samurai. The gravest reason could have been his father and elder brothers were killed but he was too young to kill. Actually, in 1438, when he was 3 years old, the Eikyo War broke out between Ashikaga Mochiuji (1398-1439) and Uesugi Norizane (1410-1466) in the Kanto Region. Anyway, later, Inyu studied at Sanne-ji Temple in Musashi Province from 1459 till 1469, and continued to study at Muryoko-in Temple in Mt. Koya from 1469 till 1474. He moved back to the Kanto Region by 1480, when he taught the Nishinoin-Ryu Genyu-Gata Koya-Sojo Lineage in Kango-ji Temple, and the Nishinoin-Ryu Nozen-Gata Koya-Sojo Lineage in Hosho-ji Temple.
He loved reading. When he was out, he would sit on a bull, with a small desk on a saddle and a scroll of sutra hung on the horns. He also loved teaching and writing textbooks. During his life, he authored over 60 books including Sempo Inton Sho, which compiled the doctrines of the Shingon Buddhism, and Ryobu Mandala Shisho, which was the most important textbook on Mandala in Japan till the Meiji Era. He died in Kango-ji Temple on August 15, 1519, with his five-ring-stupa-type grave left in the temple. He devoted his whole life to reading, teaching, and writing, as though to avert his eyes from the outside world.
The Onin War broke out in 1467, when Inyu was still studying at Sannen-ji Temple, and lasted till 1478, 4 years after he returned to Musashi Province. After the war, the outside world fell into the Warring States Period. That was the way Inyu survived the upheaval.
The main deity is the Arya Avalokitesvara sitting statue, which is said to have been carved by a legendary Buddhist sculptor, Kasuga. Kasuga is said to have worked in Kawachi Province. Legend has it that he carved Buddhist images and statues day and night. One day, the villagers noticed him carving something other than Buddhist images. It was a big crane statue. Next morning, the villagers found noone in his house, except a big bird flying to the east in the morning glow, with something or someone on its back.
Address: 677-9 Koyamacho, Midori Ward, Yokohama, Kanagawa 226-0023
Phone: 045-931-1714
Virtual Kozukue 33 Kannon Pilgrimage in Yokohama #27 Chogen-ji Temple
Kannon-in Temple was founded by Gyoki (668-749), who carved its deity, the 11-faced Ekadasamukha statue. The statue is about 55 centimeters tall. Priest Jitsuen (?-1738) revived the temple and changed its name into Chogen-ji.
The main deity of the temple, the Mahavairocana statue, was presented in 1513 by Priest Inyu (1435-1519), who worked hard to re-spread Shingon Buddhism in the area.
Inyu (1435-1519) was born in Kubo Village (Miho Town today), Tsuzuki County, Musashi Province. Till recently, there was a well whose water was used to give Inyu his first bath. That means he was born as a baby of a powerful family. He entered the Buddhist priesthood in his early childhood. The simplest reason might have been that he was the second or the third son of a powerful samurai. The gravest reason could have been his father and elder brothers were killed but he was too young to kill. Actually, in 1438, when he was 3 years old, the Eikyo War broke out between Ashikaga Mochiuji (1398-1439) and Uesugi Norizane (1410-1466) in the Kanto Region. Anyway, later, Inyu studied at Sanne-ji Temple in Musashi Province from 1459 till 1469, and continued to study at Muryoko-in Temple in Mt. Koya from 1469 till 1474. He moved back to the Kanto Region by 1480, when he taught the Nishinoin-Ryu Genyu-Gata Koya-Sojo Lineage in Kango-ji Temple, and the Nishinoin-Ryu Nozen-Gata Koya-Sojo Lineage in Hosho-ji Temple.
He loved reading. When he was out, he would sit on a bull, with a small desk on a saddle and a scroll of sutra hung on the horns. He also loved teaching and writing textbooks. During his life, he authored over 60 books including Sempo Inton Sho, which compiled the doctrines of Shingon Buddhism, and Ryobu Mandala Shisho, which was the most important textbook on Mandala in Japan till the Meiji Era. He died in Kango-ji Temple on August 15, 1519, with his five-ring-stupa-type grave left in the temple. He devoted his whole life to reading, teaching, and writing, as though to avert his eyes from the outside world.
The Onin War broke out in 1467, when Inyu was still studying at Sannen-ji Temple, and lasted till 1478, 4 years after he returned to Musashi Province. After the war, the outside world fell into the Warring States Period.
Buddhism came to Japan in the 6th century. At first, it was the state religion and formed the Six Schools of Nara Buddhism. However, it was spread among ordinary people across Japan in some way or another, including through the efforts of earnest and enthusiastic priests like Gyoki. Locally, it might have been combined with some folk beliefs. As samurai gained social hegemony, especially after the Kamakura Period, they needed new ideologies and, that is, a new Buddhism. Some outstanding priests established new Buddhist schools or sects. Some others reorganized folk-belief hermitages into their schools or sects as Inyu did. That was the way Inyu survived the upheaval.
Address: 214 Kamikawaicho, Asahi Ward, Yokohama, Kanagawa 241-0802
Phone: 045-921-2580
Virtual Kozukue 33 Kannon Pilgrimage in Yokohama #28 Sanbutsu-ji Temple
It is unknown when and how Kannon-ji Temple, which is now Sanbutsu-ji Temple, was founded. Kannon-ji Temple used to belong to Shingon Buddhism. The Arya Avalokitesvara statue was carved in the 12th century. The temple also has the Amitabha and the Ksitigarbha statues, which might have belonged to the other temples. In 1603, Priest Tenyo consolidated the 3 temples into one, named it Sanbutsu-ji (literally 3 Buddhas temple), and converted it into the Pure Land Sect.
The Takuma-Uesugi Clan’s history is not well known. The founder, Uesugi Shigekane (?-?), had an elder brother, Shigeyoshi, who was forced to commit suicide in 1349 with Hatakeyama Tadamune (?-1350) and the other 51 followers and family members. The mass suicide caused the Kanno Incident (1350-1352). Shigekane survived the incident, and became the vassal of the first Kamakura Deputy Shogun, Ashikaga Motouji (1340-1367). Eventually, the Uesugi Clan split up into 5 hyphenated clans: The Takuma-Uesugi, the Inugake-Uesugi, the Yamauchi-Uesugi, the Ogitani-Uesugi, and the Fukaya-Uesugi Clans. Their names came from where they used to live in Kamakura.
Later, Takuma-Uesugi Norinao (?-1438) supported the 4th Kamakura Deputy Shogun, Ashikaga Mochiuji (1398-1439), only to be killed in the Eikyo War in 1438. After the war, the Takuma-Uesugi Clan weakened.
In the Chokyo War (1487-1505), the Yamauchi-Uesugi and the Ogitani-Uesugi Clans conflicted with each other, involving the Inugake-Uesugi and the Takuma-Uesugi Clans. Through the war, however, all the hyphenated Uesugi Clans spelled their own downfall.
Uesugi Tomosada (1525-1546), the last head of the Ogigaya-Uesugi Clan, was killed in the Siege of Kawagoe Castle, and the clan died out. Uesugi Norimasa (1523-1579), the last head of the Yamauchi-Uesugi Clan, sold the brand name, Uesugi, to Nagao Kagetora (1530-1578), who is better known as Uesugi Kenshin.
The Takuma-Uesugi Clan did spell their own downfall, too. They became no more than a powerful family in Musashi Province, threw away their pride, and chose to live just as the Takuma Family. Their descendants became vassals of the Later Hojo Clan, and then that of the Tokugawa Clan. They survived. In one way or another, they survived.
One of the descendants Takuma Chikatoyo (?-1624), who was a hatamoto or a samurai in the direct service of the Tokugawa Shogunate, supported the foundation of Sanbutsu-ji Temple, with his grave left in the precincts. Another relic in the temple shows the Takuma Family emblem, which looked somewhat like that of the Uesugi Clan. Their pride?
Address: 76-4 Honmuracho, Asahi Ward, Yokohama, Kanagawa 241-0024
Phone: 045-391-1307
Virtual Kozukue 33 Kannon Pilgrimage in Yokohama #29 Jigan-ji Temple
It is unknown when Kannon-in Temple was founded. Its main deity was an 11-faced Ekadasamukha statue. They built another hall in the precincts as a main hall with the statue of Acalanatha enshrined as the new main deity. The temple also changed its name to Jigan-ji. It is unknown when they converted it, let alone why they did.
Legend has it that the Ekadasamukha statue was carved by Gyoki (668-749) out of the same wood that also provided the timber for the thousand-armed Sahasrabhuja statue in Kiyomizu-dera Temple in Kyoto.
In 778, Priest Kenshin, who was training in Kojima-dera Temple in Nara, got an inspiration in his dream, and visited Mt. Otowa in Kyoto. He found Priest Gyoei standing under a waterfall and reciting the mantra for Sahasrabhuja. Gyoei said to Kenshin, “I’ve been waiting for you to come for years. I’m leaving for the eastern provinces, so please cover for me.” Kenshin carved a Sahasrabhuja statue out of the divine timber Gyoei left, and put it in an old hermitage Gyoei had lived in. The hermitage was the start of Kiyomizu-dera Temple.
Let’s try to make the story more coherent.
Gyoki might have found a divine tree in Mt. Otowa, and could have carved an Ekadasamukha statue out of it, with some timber left. Gyoei went to Terayama Village, Tsuzuki County, Musashi Province, with the Ekadasamukha statue, put it in a hermitage, which was later called Kannon-in. Kenshin carved a Sahasrabhuja statue out of the divine timber Gyoki left. Then, why did Gyoei recite the mantra for Sahasrabhuja?
Gyoki might have found a divine tree in Mt. Otowa, and could have carved a Sahasrabhuja statue out of it, with some timber left. Gyoei went to Terayama Village, Tsuzuki County, Musashi Province, with the leftover timber, carved an Ekadasamukha statue out of it there, and put it in a hermitage, which was later called Kannon-in. And Kenshin carved a Sahasrabhuja statue out of another piece of the divine timber Gyoki left. Then, there should be 2 Sahasrabhuja statues in Kiyomizu-dera Temple.
I’m at the limit of my imagination.
Then, why did they convert the temple? Some Kozukue-33-Kannon-Pilgrimage member temples used to be hermitages to confine someone. The villagers around the temples converted the hermitages into temples by inviting new priests. Jigan-ji Temple might have taken the same course.
Then who was confined in the hermitage?
In 780, Sakanoue Tamuramaro (758-811) was chasing a deer in Mt. Otowa, and met Kenshin, who was training. In 791, Tamuramaro was dispatched to the eastern provinces to prepare for the war against the aliens in the northeastern part of Honshu Island. In 794, he invaded the region, with the military successes of beheading 457 and taking 150 captive. During the war, he recognized Vaisravana and Ksitigarbha as effective. It is unknown where he met the two. In or around the capital? In the eastern provinces on his way to the northeastern region? For example, in Musashi Province? Or in the northeastern region itself?
In 798, he built Kiyomizu-dera Temple for the Sahasrabhuja statue, put the statues of Vaisravana and Ksitigarbha on sides, and invited Kenshin as the priest. The two deities on sides of the main deity were supposed to guard the main deity. In 801, he invaded the northeastern region again. When Tamuramaro brought back two enemy chiefs, Aterui and More, to the capital in 802, the two were killed against Tamuramaro’s intention to have them keep working as chiefs in the northeastern region of the unified country. He was given a priest, probably to pray for the war dead on both sides. The death of the two was very effective. It satisfied the central government. And yet it didn’t bring about avenging battles. The two died as if to guard something or somebody else.
It might have been Tamuramaro who brought timber from Mt. Otowa, had a statue carved, and left someone confined in Terayama Village. Or that somebody could have stayed there willingly to pray for the dead.
The temple name Jigan literally means loving eyes. What did the eyes actually see with love?
Address: 228 Terayamacho, Midori Ward, Yokohama, Kanagawa 226-0013
Phone: 045-931-1553
Virtual Kozukue 33 Kannon Pilgrimage in Yokohama #30 Chosen-ji Temple
It is unknown when Chosen-ji Temple was founded. Priest Genyu (?-1620) is said to have revived the temple. The main deity is the Acalanatha statue. The precincts have a Kannon-do Hall, with an Arya Avalokitesvara statue in it.
Address: 732 Nakayamacho, Midori Ward, Yokohama, Kanagawa 226-0011
Phone: 045-934-0303
Virtual Kozukue 33 Kannon Pilgrimage in Yokohama #31 Hoto-ini Temple
Hoto-in Temple is said to have been founded in the Muromachi Period (1336-1573). There were many wars, battles, and fights in that period. Some hermitages were built to confine too-young-to-kill boys in them. In the 17th century, under the Pax Tokugawa, the economy boomed, and some of the hermitages were converted into real temples. Hoto-in Temple was converted into a real temple in the 1710's by Priest Yuen. The Kannon-do Hall might have been in the precincts before Yuen built other buildings. The hall has, interestingly enough, not only an Arya Avalokitesvar statue but also a Bhaisajyaguru statue. The Kozue 33 Kannon Pilgrimage is also called the Zodical Rat Year 33 Kannon Pilgrimage. The Arya Avalokitesvar statue is displayed to the public every 12 years, in the Year of Rat. The Bhaisajyaguru statue is displayed to the public every 12 years, in the Year of Tiger. 2020 is the Year of Rat and 2022 is the Year of Tiger. With the other 24 temples which have Bhaisajyaguru statues, the temple also constitutes the Buso 25 Yakushinyorai (=Bhaisajyaguru) Pilgrimage. The pilgrimage name Buso is the contraction of Bushu and Soshu. Bushu is a contraction of Musashi Province, and Soshu is that of Sagami Province.
Address: 2 Chome-35-12 Hakusan, Midori Ward, Yokohama, Kanagawa 226-0006
Phone: 045-931-2809
Virtual Kozukue 33 Kannon Pilgrimage in Yokohama #32 Tokai-ji Temple
In the first half of the 8th century, Gyoki (668-749) visited the area, carved a statue of Arya Avalokitesvara, and built a hermitage to enshrine it. The temple still keeps the small knife Gyoki used to carve the statue.
At the turn of the 9th century, Priest Kaien made it Tokan-ji Temple. Later, it was abandoned. Priest Seikai asked for the re-foundation of the temple in 1543, and Kasahara Nobutame (?-1557), the deputy lord of Kozukue Castle, supported it, with his Buddhist memorial tablet left in the temple. When Priest Giin (?-1652) revived the temple, Kasahara Nobuyasu and Hasegawa Tamehisa supported it with their own money. It is unrecorded who Nobuyasu and Tamehisa were. Probably the descendants of Nobutame.
Nobutame’s son, Yasukatsu was killed in battle when Takeda Katsuyori (1546-1582) attacked the Later Hojo Clan in 1569. Yasukatsu’s son, Terushige was killed in the Battle of the Tokura Castle in 1581. In the battle, Kasahara Masaharu (?-1590) went over to Takeda Katsuyori, so it is unknown by which side Terushige was killed. Masaharu went over to the Later Hojo Clan again after Katsuyori was killed by Oda Nobunaga (1534-1582) in 1582. When Toyotomi Hideyoshi attacked the Later Hojo Clan in 1590, Masaharu tried to go over to Hideyoshi but was killed by Hojo Ujinao (1562-1591), with the betrayal uncovered.
Terushige’s son, Shigemasa was hired by Tokugawa Ieyasu (1542-1616) after the downfall of the Later Hojo Clan in 1590. In 1591, his ownership of Dai Village, Tsuzuki County, Musashi Province was approved, and his descendants became hatamoto, a direct retainer of the Tokugawa Shogunate. As Nobuyasu’s yasu used the same Chinese character as Ieyasu’s yasu, he might have lived in Ieyasu’s days.
The main deity of Tokan-ji Temple is the statue of Acalanatha, known as the Immovable Wisdom King in East Asia. What did the Immovable Wisdom King think, witnessing Masaharu’s moves?
Address: 1 Chome-21-1 Higashihongo, Midori Ward, Yokohama, Kanagawa 226-0002
Phone: 045-471-9237
Virtual Kozukue 33 Kannon Pilgrimage in Yokohama #33 Hosho-ji Temple
It is unknown when Hosho-ji Temple was founded. The temple belongs to the Caodong Sect of Chan Buddhism.
The temple yard has a stone monument which lists the 33 member temples of the Kozukue 33 Kannon Pilgrimage. It was Priest Soun and Priest Choan in Hosho-ji Temple, the #33 temple of the Kozukue 33 Kannon Pilgrimage today, and Priest Tenyo in Senkoku-ji Temple, the #1 temple today, who organized the Kozukue 33 Kannon Pilgrimage in 1732.
The 11-faced Ekadasamukha statue is located in the cemetery nearby.
So, I have virtually walked up the Kozukue 33 Kannon Pilgrimage, the 4th Kannon pilgrimage ever in my life, including actually going on the Fukuhara 33 Kannon Pilgrimage in Kobe.
Address: 2035-1 Naracho, Aoba Ward, Yokohama, Kanagawa 227-0036
Phone: 045-961-7735
