Virtual Shimousa 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #8 Kofuku-in Temple

 

     In the 800's, Tega Temple was founded under the centralized government on the heights commanding the Tega Bay of the Katori Sea.  In 820, an eleven-faced Ekadasamukha statue which was carved by Kukai (774-835) was brought to the temple, and the temple renamed Muyaku-in on the occasion.

     On August 10, 1263, Priest Choson (?-1304) came from Hitachi Province, revived the temple, and renamed it Kofuku-in.  The 2nd priest was Ryokai (?-1395) and the 3rd was Shuden (?-1480), so there might have been priest-less intervals between the 1st, the 2nd, and the 3rd priests.  After the 3rd, the temple was succeeded by priests continuously.

     In 1579, when Hara Tanechika (1539-1588), the lord of Tega Castle, attacked Chiba Kunitane (1557-1585), he prayed to Kofuku-in for a victory and overwhelmed Kunitane.  Tenechika presented the temple some fields and treasures.  However, in 1590, when Toyotomi Hideyoshi invaded the Kanto Region, Tega Castle fell and Kofuku-in Temple burned down.

     Later, Priest Choun (?-1626) moved the temple to the site of Tega Castle and revived it.

     Today, the temple enshrines an eleven-faced Ekadasamukha statue which was carved by Unkei (1150-1223).  It is unknown when the new one replaced the old one. 

Address: 712 Tega, Kashiwa, Chiba 270-1465