Virtual Tama Aqueduct Bando 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #25 Saicho-ji Temple

 

     Saicho-ji Temple was founded in Simouma-Hikisawa Village, Ebara County, Musashi Province, in 1574 by Priest Ryuko, who had studied in Shaka-in Temple in Mt. Koya.

     In the 1560's, the Uesugi Terutora (1530-1578) from Echigo Province and Takeda Hrunobu (1521-1573) from Kai Province invaded the Kanto Region to solve their domestic starvation.  It was in the 1570's that Hojo Ujimasa (1539-1590) secured the region.

     Preist Yushu (?-1672) revived the temple, supported by Okubo Tadakatsu (1524-1601).  Yushu transplanted a koyamaki or a Japanese umbrella-pine tree from Mt. Koya, which has become very big and tall after centuries.

     In the chaotic period at the end of the Tokugawa Shogunate, the temple became priest-less and devastated.  In 1892, Keisho came from Mt. Koya to the temple as its 10th priest.  He engaged in ascetic practices in its Bhaisajyaguru hall for 1,000 days, avoiding having grain or cereals.  He was inspired to cure people with moxibustion he mastered in Mt. Koya.  His moxibustion became popular as psychic.  The temple bell was casted with metals presented by the cured in 1899. 

Address: 2 Chome-11-6 Shimouma, Setagaya City, Tokyo 154-0002

Phone: 03-3421-1616