Virtual Shimousa 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #10 Choyo-ji Temple

     Choyo-ji Temple was founded in the latter half of the 14th century, when Ashikaga Ujimitsu (1359-1398) was the 2nd Kanto Deputy Shogun.

     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 shogun and the regent became delicate.  Choyo-ji Temple was founded in those delicate days.

Address: 1 Chome-56 Kode, Matsudo, Chiba 270-0001

Phone: 047-344-8050