Virtual Western Edo 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #2 Koju-in Temple

     Koju-in Temple was founded in the precincts of Seisho-ji Temple in 1649 by Priest Kundo (?-1656), who was the 12th head priest of Seisho-ji Temple.  Seisho-ji Temple had been founded in Kaizuka, Kojimachi, in 1476 by Priest Unko by the order of Ota Sukekiyo's son, Dokan (1432-1486).

     In those days in the Kanto Region, the Kyotoku Incident was fought from 1454 to 1482.  Thus, the region plunged into the Warring-States Period.

In 1476 alone, Imagawa Yoshitada (1436-1476), the gurdian samurai of Suruga Province, was killed in a battle in Totomi Province.  His son, Ujichika (1473-1526), was still too small.  The vassals were divided into pro-Ujichika and anti-Ujichika, who supported Oshika Norimitsu (?-1487), a cousin of Yoshitada.  Dokan took advantage of their misfortune and advanced to Suruga Province.  Meanwhile, Ise Shinkuro (?-1519) came to the province to become a Warring-States-Period hero.  History enthusiasts might anticipate their showdown, but their duel was settled through negotiations.  Ujichika became the heir while Norimitsu supported him until he came of age.  You might be disappointed and wonder why.

     When Dokan was in Suruga Province, Nagao Kageharu (1443-1514) rose up in treason against his lord, Yamanouchi-Uesugi Akisada (1454-1510) in July with Hachigata Castle as his base, with Ashikaga Shigeuji (1438-1497), a Koga Kanto Deputy Shogun, as a wirepuller.  Dokan moved to Ikakko Fortress in hurry.  It is unknown whether Shinkuro and Shigeuji had a secret communication or not, but, less than 2 dacades later, Shinkuro eradicated a Horikoshi Kanto Deputy Shogunate in Izu Province, the rival of a Koga Kanto Deputy Shogunate, in 1493.

     In January, 1477, Kageharu attacked Ikakko Fortress.  More battles needed more temples.  Seisho-ji Temple met the demand.

     As Seisho-ji Temple was moved to Atago in 1600, when Tokugawa Ieyasu (1542-1616) built the outer moat of Edo Castle, Koju-in Temple moved together.

Address: 2 Chome-8-7 Atago, Minato City, Tokyo 105-0002