Virtual Tama Aqueduct Bando 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #14 Joshin-ji Temple

 

     According to "Setagaya Castle Meizan Tokiwaki", Kira Yoriyasu (?-1562), who was subject to the Later Hojo Clan, built Okuzawa Fortress in Ebara County, Musashi Province, and stationed Ohira Dewanokami there.  Dewanokami founded Nenbutsu-in Hermitage in the fortress.  After the collapse of the clan in 1590, Yoriyasu's adopted son, Ujitomo (1543-1603), fled to Kazusa Province, and the Ohira Family abolished the fortress and evacuated to Todoriki, Ebara County, Musashi Province.  The hermitage was left in the site of the fortress.

     After the establishment of the Tokugawa Shogunate in 1603, the village head, Shichizaemon, purchased the site in 1675, and asked Priest Kaseki to found Joshin-ji Temple as the successor of Nenbutsu-in Hermitage in 1678.

     Kaseki had killed his cruel and inhuman superior, became a Buddhist monk, and retreated to Oshima Village, Toshima County, Musashi Province.  He carved 9-types of statues of Amitabha with 9-types of mudra.  Each type of statue represented each rank of Varga, how people went to Heaven.  People were classified to each Varga according to what Kusala-mula they had.  It was something like the nine rank system in China.  Kaseki brought the 9 statues to Joshin-ji Temple.

Address: 7 Chome-41-3 Okusawa, Setagaya City, Tokyo 158-0083

Phone: 03-3701-2029