Virtual Gyotoku 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #7 Shogen-ji Temple

     Monk Shogen was from the Yawata Manor, Katsushika County, Shimousa Province.  the manor was owned by the Chiba Family after Chiba Yoritane (1239-1275).  Chiba Tanesada (1288-1336) had deep faith in the School of Nichiren, and contributed the manor to Hokekyo-ji Temple, where Tanesada's adopted son, Nichiyu (1298-1374), was the third priest.

     Shogen, however, believed in the Pure Land Sect, sought no position, and built a hermitage in Kawara, Katsushika County.  He spent his days absorbed in chanting prayers, and thus enlightened people.

     Half a century after Shogen's death, when Tokugawa Ieyasu (1542-1616) moved to Edo, Priest Gencho changed the hermitage to a temple, and named it Shogen-ji to enlighten increasing number of people living in the suburbs of Edo.

Address: 3-6 Kawara, Ichikawa, Chiba 272-0101

Phone: 047-357-3249