Virtual Shimousa 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #7 Toko-in Temple

     It is unknown when and by whom Toko-in Temple was founded.  Its main deity is the statue of Arya Avalokitesvara, who is the human-figure prototype of the other 6 metamorphoses.  The temple also has a Ksitigarbha statue, which was carved in 1571 by a Buddhist sculptor from Satsuma, Katsushika County, Shimousa Province.  Satsuma  was located on heights along Otsu River between the Edo River and the Katori Sea, and was ruled by the Soma Family.  The river ran into Lake Tega-numa.

     When the Ksitigarbha statue was carved, Harutane (1541-1602) was the head of the Soma Family.  He first fought against the Later Hojo Clan, surrendered to the clan, and fought for the clan, which was destroyed by Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1536-1598).  He seemed to be poor at maneuvering in the Warring States Period.  His son, Hidetane (?-1597), wasn’t.  He didn’t go to Odawara Castle to fight for the Later Hojo Clan, had secret communication with Tokugawa Ieyasu (1542-1616), and was hired by Ieyasu later.  Harutane wasn’t killed in battle but wasn’t accepted by Hidetane.  Harutane wandered around and died while staying in Edo.

Address: 545 Nauchi, Shiroi, Chiba 270-1407