Virtual Yamanote 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #24 Enju-in Temple

 

     Enju-in Temple was founded sometime between 824 and 833 by Ennin (794-864) on Ueno Hill.

     The oldest written document of the temple dates back to 1653, and it was an order issued by Priest Kokai (1608-1695), who was the head priest of Kan’ei-ji Temple at the time.

     About a decade later, the temple was moved to Shitaya-Sakamoto, between Ueno and Uguisudani Stations along the JR line today, sometime between 1661 and 1672, and was moved again in 1912 to its present place due to the construction of the railway.

     Kokai was born between Kazan’in Tadanaga (1588-1662), an aristocrat in Kyoto, and a daughter of Priest Kyo’nyo (1558-1614), the 12th head priest of Higashi-Hongan-ji Temple.

     Tadanaga was exiled to Hokkaido in 1609 because he had illicit intercourse with a lady-in-waiting of Emperor Go-Yozei (1571-1617).  Presumably, they had an illicit relationship while Kokai’s mother was pregnant.  In Hokkaido, he introduced Kyoto Culture to samurai of the Matsumae Domain.  He was pardoned in 1636, and returned to Kyoto in 1652.  What did he do for 6 years?  It is recorded that he stayed in Itadome Spa in Mutsu Province on his way back.  Did he meet his son, Kokai, who was studying under Priest Tenkai (1536-1643) in Edo at the time?  When Kokai was old enough to understand things, he was practically fatherless.  After the father’s death, Kokai finished reviving Bishamon-do Temple, whose main deity is Vaisravana, in Yamashina, Kyoto, in 1665.  Vaisravana is known as a punisher of evildoers.  What evil did Kokai have in his mind?  It is unknown what happened to Tadanaga’s wife and the lady-in-waiting.

Zen'yo-ji Temple

Address: 4 Chome-8-25 Nishisugamo, Toshima City, Tokyo 170-0001

Phone: 03-3915-0015