Virtual Ueno Oji Komagome 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #2 Daiun-ji Temple

 

     Daiun-ji Temple was founded in 1627 by Yaheita, who claimed to be an offspring of the Shimizu Family.

     Ise Shinkuro (1432-1519) moved from Kyoto to Suruga Province in 1469 to become a warring-states-period hero, and established himself as the lord of Kosokuji Castle in Izu Province in 1487, and formed a small but independent domain around the castle.  In 1491, he unified Izu Province.  The Shimizu Family became his vassal in these days.

     Shimizu Yasuhide (1532-1591) was one of 5 chief retainers under Hojo Ujiyasu (1515-1571), Shinkuro’s grandson.  The five chief retainers used different colors of banners; yellow, red, blue, white, and black.  Yasuhide’s banners were in a white color.  The Shimizu Family had been based in Kanoyazaki Castle, and Yasuhide was additionally stationed at Shimoda Castle in 1588 or 1589 to build up a defense against Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1537-1598).  Shimoda Port was one of the most important ports along the Eastern Sea Region.  Yasuhide was the number 1 among the Izu Sea Forces.

     In 1590, Shimoda Castle was attacked by Hideyoshi’s navy; which was composed of the troop of 2,500 of Chosokabe Motochika (1538-1599), the troop of 1,500 of Kuki Yoshitaka (1542-1600),  the troop of 1,300 of Wakisaka Yasuharu (1554-1626), and more.  Yasuhide surrendered the castle and gave in on April the 23rd, after holding it for over 50 days with the troop of 600.

     Oral tradition says that the temple's Avalokitesvara statue is what Genshin (942-1017) copied from the eleven-faced Ekadasamukha statue of the Saigoku 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #2 Kimii-dera Temple.

Address: 2 Chome-18-12 Honkomagome, Bunkyo City, Tokyo 113-0021

Phone: 03-3941-7941