Virtual Buso 48 Kannon Pilgrimage #1 Kannon-ji Temple

     First, Konki-bo Hermitage was built.

     Then, a Ksitigarbha statue was brought in by Priest Raiman (?-1608), and the hermitage became Shingon-in Temple.

     One night in the 1750’s, Priest Yujin dreamed a holy dream in which 11-faced Ekadasamukha appeared and told him to invite it to the temple.  Ekadasamukha also appeared in the dream of Takahashi Koreemon, whose family had handed down their 11-faced Ekadasamukha statue for generations.  Kobayashi Kyube heard of the story and became a main donor to build a hall for Ekadasamukha in the precincts of Shingon-in Temple.  The Ebara Family ruled the area as a vassal of the Tokugawa Shogunate, and the family made contributions too.

     Years later, the area was hit by a fire and the temple also burned.  However, the Ekadasamukha Hall alone survived and the Ekadasamukha statue became the main deity of the temple.  The temple was renamed Kannon-ji Temple.

     The precincts have 2 old itabi, which are dated 1338 and 1357.  In the newer one, the era name Enbun was used, so the area blonged to the Northern Court.

     The Northern and Southern Courts Period lasted from 1337 to 1392.  The Northern Court was led by the Ashikaga Clan.  However, on November 30, 1351, the battle between Ashikaga Takauji (1305-1358) and his younger brother, Tadayoshi (1306-1352), broke out around the Satta Pass in Suruga Province.  On January 5, 1352, Tadayoshi surrendered to Takauji, was confined to Jomyo-ji Temple in Kamakura, and died a sudden death on February 26.  It is unknown whether Tadayoshi died of a disease or was poisoned to death as “Taiheiki” (“Chronicle of Great Pease”, a Japanese historical military epic written in the late 14th century) writes.

     The Southern Court took full advantage of the breakup of the Ashikaga Clan, and occupied Kamakura on Leap February 18.  A series of battles were fought in Musashi and Sagami Provinces, and finally Takauji regained Kamakura on March 12.

     In July, 1353, Takauji returned to Kyoto and left Kamakura up to his 4th son, Motouji (1340-1367).  Motouji became the first Kanto Deputy Shogun.  Motouji pitched camp along Iruma River, a strategic line to defend Kamakura, and stayed there for 9 years to fight against the Southern Court. 

     The builder of the 1357-dated itabi might have been killed in fighting along the river.

Address: 2240 Shimotsuruma, Yamato, Kanagawa 242-0001

Phone: 046-274-2451