Virtual Old Kasai 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #21 Shokan-ji

 

     Shokan-ji Temple was founded by Priest Chuson in 1593, 3 years after the collapse of the Later Hojo Clan.  Monk Jusai (?-1653) succeeded to the priesthood of the temple.

     The name Jusai sounds very gloomy, pessimistic, and ironic.  Jusai's Japanese way of translation was kasanedoki.  The phrase was used as "Hinso no kasanedoki."  It literally means a poor monk tend to be invited to 2 feasts at a time.  That is, those poor or unlucky tend to have chances at a time, and can't realize them all.  Maybe, the monk wasn't able to have everything his way.

     Chuson used to belong to the Itami Family, who had something to do with Kanesawa 34 Kannon Pilgrimage #17 Zenrin-ji Temple, which was founded by Ashikaga Shigeuji (1434-1497) in 1493 to hold a service for his late father, Mochiuji  (1398-1439).  It once declined, but Itami Nagachika (?-1563) revived it.  Nagachika worked and fought for the Later Hojo Clan.  After Nagachika’s death, Masatomi worked and fought for the clan until they were destroyed by Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1537-1598) in 1590.  His son was taken care of by his maternal uncle. They became Buddhist monks; Chugo and Chuson.  Chugo became the head priest of Senso-ji Temple, whose position Chuson succeeded.

     Was Monk Jusai an offspring of the Itami Family who wasn't able to restore the family?

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