Virtual Gyotoku 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #28 Enmei-ji Temple

 

     Enmei-ji Temple was founded in 1596 by Priest Shin'yo, and was transferred to the Shingon Sect in 1656.

     In 1538, the Oyumi and Koga Kanto Deputy Shoguns clashed against each other in Konodai, Shimousa Province. The Oyumi Kanto Deputy Shogun, Ashikaga Yoshiaki (?-1538), was killed in battle, and Koga’s side won.

     Yoshiaki's first son, Yoshizumi (?-1538), was also killed in battle, and Yoshiaki's younger children fled to Awa Province, counting on the protection of Satomi Yoshitaka (1507-1574).  Under the pressure from the Later Hojo Clan, who proved their superiority in the Battle of Konodai, Yoshiaki's second son, Yorizumi (1532-1601) was sent to Sekido-ji Temple in Kazusa Province.  When the Later Hojo Clan was destroyed by Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1537-1598), Yorizumi recovered Oyumi Castle.  By having his first daughter become a concubine of Hideyoshi, Yorizumi came back to the warlord circle, and his grandson, Yoshichika (1599-1627), became the first lord of the Kiregawa Domain in Shimotsuke Province under the Tokugawa Shogunate.  However, that's another story and shall be told another time.  

     Yoshiaki's 3 daughters were sent to Taihei-ji Temple in Kamakura, Sagami Province.  They became under the patronage, or the supervision, of the Later Hojo Clan.  In 1556, the oldest daughter made a dramatic elopement with Yoshitaka's son, Yoshihiro (1530-1578).  However, that's another story and shall be told another time.  

     Let's get back to Oyumi Castle.  In 1627, Morikawa Shigetoshi (1584-1632) became the lord of the Oyumi Domain, and built an official residence in the site of the castle.

     Why didn't he build a castle?  Under the Tokugawa Shogunate, lords of domains were classified into 2 categories: those with castles and those without castles.  The latter lords were forbidden to build a castle and instead built an official residence.

     The Morikawa Family was classified into the latter category.  However, their residence proves that Oyumi Castle itself used to be no more than a residence or a fortress.  I'm sorry, but I have introduced some fortresses as castles, keeping to convention.

     In 1782, when Morikawa Toshitaka (1744-1788) was the 7th lord of the Oyumi Domain, his vassal, Kusaburo, and Ine eloped.  When they tried to cross Edo River, they were arrested by  shogunate officials for the violation of the prohibition of "guns in and women out."  They, their 2 boat operators, and even the wife of one of the boat operators were crucified.  The bodies of the latter 3 were sent to their family temple, but those of Ksaburo and Ine were buried at the spot.  The locals took pity on them and built a stone Ksitigarbha sttatue.  Mysteriously, when locals passed by the statue, they found its head fallen.  Before long, the statue was named Beheaded Jizo.

     Toshitaka's first son, Toshimori (1770-1788), died on June 6, and Toshitaka died on June 28.  Toshitomo (1779-1838), Toshitaka's nephew, succeeded to the lord of the Oyumi Domain in deathbed adoption.

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