Virtual Shimousa 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #13 Nyoi-ji Temple

 

     Nyoi-ji Temple was founded in Minowa in 1161.

     Minamoto Yoshitomo (1123-1160), the most powerful leader of the samurai in the Kanto Region, was defeated by the Taira Clan in the Heiji Disturbance in 1160.  On his way to flee to the Kanto Region, he was killed in Noma, Chita County, Owari Province.  The founder of Nyoi-ji Temple might have wanted to pray for the comfort of the late Minamoto Yoshitomo in the other world.  In this world, Yoshitomo's 3rd son, Yoritomo (1147-1199), was captured in Omi Province and was exiled to Izu Province.  When Yoritomo raised his army against the Taira Clan in 1180, samurai in Shimousa Province supported him. 

     Minowa Castle was built, and was owned by the Takagi Family as one of their branch castles at the end of the Warring States Period .  Their main castle, Kogane Castle, commanded Edo River, and Minowa Castle commanded Lake Tega-numa.  Minowa Castle seems to have been stationed by the Bonoyama Family, who were subject to the Takagi Family.  The Takagi Family had command of the inland water transportation in the southern part of the Kanto Region.

     Nyoi-ji Temple was revived by Priest Ho'nyo in 1620.

     Tokugawa Iemitsu (1604-1651), the third shogun of the Tokugawa Shogunate, dissolved many clans to strengthen the power of the shogunate.  This increased the number of masterless and jobless samurai and destabilized society.  To restabilize the society, he strengthened the danka system.  Every citizen was supposed to belong to a Buddhist temple.  Ho'nyo took full advantage of the business opportunity.

Address: 62 Minowa, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-0912