Virtual Shimousa 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #12 Koju-ji Temple

 

     Koju-ji Temple was founded in 1562 by Takagi Tanetoki (1537-1583). 

     Takagi Family was subject to the Hara Family, and the Hara Family was subject to the Chiba Family, who ruled Shimousa Province.

     First of all, who was the Chiba Family?

     Taira Yoshifumi (886-952) was born in Kyoto.  In 923, he was dispatched to Sagami Province by Emperor Daigo (885-930) to suppress armed robbers. Later, he moved to Muraoka, Kumagaya County, Musashi Province.  He also lived in Muraoka, Kamakura County, Sagami Province and Muraoka, Yuki County, Shimousa Province.  Why do we have so many Muraokas?  Maybe, he named where he lived Muraoka.  Tradition says that Yoshifumi's grandson, Tsunemasa (1010-1076),  married a celestial nymph who gave birth to Tsunenaga (1024-1108), whose grandson, Tsuneshige (1083-1180), started calling his family Chiba.  All in all, the Chiba Family was a distinguished local samurai family.

     Then who was the Hara Family?

     Chiba Tsunenaga’s 4th son, Yoritsune, lived in Hara, Chida Manor, Katori County, Shimousa Province, and called his family Hara.  All in all, the Hara Family was a branch family of a distinguished local samurai family.

     On August 12, 1455, Hara Tanefusa (?-1471) attacked Chiba Castle and killed Chiba Tanenobu (1445-1455), the 18th head of the family.  On the 15th, Tanefusa killed Chiba Tanenao (1419-1455).  On September 7, Tanefusa killed Chiba Tanetaka (?-1455), and exterminated the mainstream of the Chiba Family.

     What Tenefusa did was commonly known as that an inferior overpowered superiors.

     The origin of the Takagi Family is unknown.  That means they were ordianry and usual locals.

     Takagi Taneyoshi (1501-1565) moved his base from Negiuchi Castle to Kogane Castle, which commanded Edo, Naka, and Ara Rivers.  Accordingly, Taneyoshi controlled the inland waterway between Edo Bay and the northern part of the Kanto Region.  When Uesugi Terutora (1530-1578) invaded the Kanto Region, Teneyoshi successfully held Kogane Castle.

     Taneyshi also controled Gyotoku Saltern, the largest saltworks in the Kanto Region.  

     Teneyoshi didn’t have to overthrow superiors.  Both the Chiba and Hara Families disintegrated and finally collapsed under the Later Hojo Clan.  What Taneyoshi did was to rule, govern, and manage an area as a whole.  Only those who could do so survived the Warring States Period.   

Address: 980 Nazukari, Nagareyama, Chiba 270-0145

Phone: 04-7144-6341