Virtual Modern Edo 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #32 Tokusho-ji Temple

 

     Tokusho-ji Temple was founded at Oshiage, Katsushika County, Shimousa Province, in 1513, when the ancien regime in the Kanto Region was shaken.

     Nagao Tamekage (1486-1543), the Deputy Samurai Guardian of Echigo Province, made a surprise attack on Uesugi Fusayoshi (1474-1507), the Samurai Guardian of Echigo Province, on August 2nd, 1507.  Fusayoshi fled to Nomine Castle.  Tamekage kept chasing Fusayoshi.  Fusayoshi gave up the castle, fled to Mt. Matsuno, and finally killed himself at Amamizu Pass on his flight to the Kanto Region, where his brother, Uesugi Akisada (1454-1510), was the Regent of the Kanto Deputy Shogunate.

     To revenge, Akisada invaded Echigo Province with 60 thousand cavalry and ousted Tamekage to Sado Province in July, 1509.  Akisada’s triumph, however, aroused a sense of crisis among local samurai in the surrounding provinces such as Sado and Shinano as well as in Echigo Province.  They flocked to Echigo, and when their number reached 60 thousand, Akisada started retreating.  However, Tamekage and others caught up with Akisada in Nagamorihara in Echigo Province, and killed Akisada.  That decreased the military Power of the Yamanouchi-Uesugi Family.  To make the matter worse, Norifusa (1467-1525) and Akizane (?1515) started fighting for the head of the family.  Akisada was supported by Ashikaga Masauji (1462-1531), the Koga Kanto Deputy Shogun, but Norifusa successfully involved Masauji’s son, Takamoto (1485-1535).  A war that divided the Kanto Region started.

     To make the matter worse, Ise Shinkuro (1432-1519) came from Kyoto to become a warring-states-period hero in the Kanto Region.  He took advantage of the division among the leaders of the Kanto Deputy Shogunate, and advanced to Sagami Province, keeping an eye out for a chance to seize Musashi Province.

     It wasn’t recorded why Tokusho-ji Temple was founded.  Did the founder mourn the death of ancien regime in the Kanto Region?  Did the founder pray for the comfort of those who were killed in battles?  As the estuary of the Old Tone River was developed, its population increased.  The larger population needed more temples.  Is that it? 

     In the Edo Period, the temple was revived by Priest Sonkei (?-1666).  After the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake, the temple was moved to its present place.

Address: 185 Oshiage-cho, Honjo Ward, Tokyo

Address: 3 Chome-6-6 Nishishinkoiwa, Katsushika City, Tokyo 124-0025

Phone: 03-3696-1346