Virtual Koma 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #18 Iwashita-do Temple

 

     Locals believe that the tomb at the foot of the stone ladder to Iwashita-do Temple is the grave for Okabe Tadaszumi (?-1197).

     The Okabea Family was a branch family the Inomata Corps.

     The 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 then were sent to Musashi Province, and engaged in the 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: the Musashi Seven Corps.  The Inomata Corps was one of the 7.

     Okabe Tadazumi first fought for Minamoto Yoshitomo (1123-1160) in the Hogen Rebellion in 1156 and in the Heiji Rebellion in 1160.  Yoshitomo was assassinated 3 days after he was defeated in the Heiji Rebellion.

     After the defeat, Tadazumi returned to his homeland, Okabe, Hanzawa County, Musashi Province.  When Yoshitomo’s son, Yoritomo (1147-1199), raised his army against the Taira Clan, Tadazumi joined the army.  He fought for Yoritomo in countless battles and fightings, and died a natural death in 1197.  Officially, he was buried in his homeland, and it is unknown why the Kosedo locals believe that he was buried in Kosedo.

Address: 548-4 Kosedo, Hanno, Saitama 357-0067