Virtual Western Edo 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #27 Shogen-ji Temple

     Shogen-ji Temple was founded by Priest Man’ei (?-1643), who was from Nitta County, Kozuke Province, in Kobikicho in 1603.  In 1618, it was moved to Shiba-Kanesugi due to the Edo city planning.  Again in 1679, it was moved to its present place due to another city planning.  The temple was revived by Priest Shuncho (?-1766).

     In 1742, a super-typhoon made landfall at Osaka and hit Edo.  It started raining on August 26th, and the storm hit the provinces between Osaka and Edo, causing many rivers to flood.  Along the Chikuma River alone, more than 200 tons of water was estimated to have flooded.  On the 30th, the typhoon hit Edo, and not only downtown but even samurai mansions on the heights were flooded.  On September 1st, the Tone, Ara, and Tama Rivers flooded.  On the 6th, another typhoon hit the Kanto Region, and it kept flooding till the 8th.  Presumably, the temple buildings were lost in the flood. 

     Shogen-ji Temple has a 45-centimeter tall Avalokitesvara standing statue which is said to have been carved by Genshin (942-1017).

Address: 2 Chome-7-19 Shirokane, Minato City, Tokyo 108-0072

Phone: 03-3441-3853