Virtual Buso 48 Kannon Pilgrimage #13 Gyokusen-ji Temple

 

     Gyokusen-ji Temple was founded by Priest Kenkai (?-1383).

     In the 1370’s, the Kanto Deputy Shogun and the Regent of the Kanto Deputy Shogunate were still working together.  Uesugi Noriharu (?-1379), the then regent, worked and fought for Ashikaga Motouji (1340-1367), the first Kanto Deputy Shogun, and for Ujimitsu (1359-1398), the second Kanto Deputy Shogun.

     However, in 1379, the infighting within the central shogunate broke out.  Ujimitsu had an ambition to become a central shogun and tried to advance to Kyoto.  Noriharu tried to persuade him not to, and finally killed himself to stop him on March 7.  Ujimitsu still appointed Noriharu's brother, Norimasa (1335-1394), as the general of the Kanto Deputy Shogunate Army on March 21.  Norimasa left Kamakura but stopped in Izu Province.  Ujimitsu finally gave up his ambition for the time being.  Norimasa became the next Regent on April 15, and returned to Kamakura on the 28th of the same month.  The relationship between the Kanto Deputy Shogun and the Regent became delicate.  Gyokusen-ji Temple might have been founded on one of those delicate days.

     Gyokusen-ji Temple burned down sometime after 1688.  In 1695, Priest Ryoei (?-1695) rebuilt the main hall.  Tsuchiya Masanao (1641-1722), the 2nd lord of the Tsuchiura Domain in Hitachi Province, supported the reconstruction.  In 1695, his 4th son, Nobunao (1695-1734), was born.  As Nobunao's elder brothers died young, he became the 3rd lord of the domain.

Address: 726 Koshino, Hachioji, Tokyo 192-0361

Phone: 042-676-8050