Virtual Gyotoku 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #19 Tokuzo-ji Temple

 

     Tokuzo-ji Temple was founded in 1575 by Priest Joi.  Its precincts have many stone statues of Cintamanicakra, who usually has 6 arms and holds chintamani (a wish-fulfilling jewel) in one of the six.

     At the beginning of the Warring States Period (1467-1590), the Takagi Family was subject to the Hara Family, and the Hara Family was subject to the Chiba Family.  In 1560's, Takagi Tanetoki (1537-1583) succeeded to the head of the family.  In 1566, when Uesugi Kenshin (1530-1578)attacked the Chiba Family and seized Moto-Sakura Castle in Shimousa Province, Tanetoki drove off the Uesugi army.  Tanetoki married with a daughter of Chiba Katsutane (1471-1532), the lord of Moto-Sakura Castle.  In the mean while, the Hara Family thought of nothing but to protect their base, Usui Castle.  In 1570's, the hierarchy of the 3 families collapsed, and they all became vassals of the Later Hojo Clan.  For Tanetoki, that meant the independence from the Chiba and Hara Families.

     Under the Takagi Family, Gyotoku’s salt industry grew, and its population increased.  By the end of the Warring States Period, there emerged 7villages: Tokagi, Owada, Tajiri, Koya, Kawara, Myoden, and Hon-Gyotoku.  Thus, new temples were founded.  Between the middle of the Warring States Period and the beginning of the Tokugawa Period, 33 temples were founded in Gyotoku.

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