Virtual Buso 48 Kannon Pilgrimage #27 Seisui-ji Temple

 

     It is unknown when Seisui-ji Temple was founded.  Its main deity, the statue of Arya Avalokitesvara, who is the human-figure prototype of the other 6 metamorphoses, was said to have been carved by Gyoki (668-749).  The statue was partially destroyed by the fire which was caused by Takeda Harunobu (1521-1573).

     In the 1560’s, Harunobu had a burning ambition to rule the whole country, Japan.  That meant he had to advance west.  To cut off the worries behind, he dealt with Uesugi Kagetora (1530-1578) in the north and Hojo Ujiyasu (1515-1571) in the east.

     Harunobu incited rebellious or autonomous groups, who believed the True Land Buddhism, in Ecchu Province to revolt against Kagetora.  Against Ujiyasu, Harunobu invaded their territory through the Usui Pass, which was located in the northern Kanto Region, and surrounded their stronghold, Odawara Castle, to threat them in 1569.

     So, Seisui-ji Temple was set on fire in 1569, presumably on Harunobu’s way to Odawara.

     The temple has a Yakshas statue, which was examined by Maruo Shozaburo (1892-1980).  He supposed the statue was carved sometime between 894 and 1185.  The Arya Avalokitesvara statue may be as old as the Yakshas statue.

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