Virtual Akigawa 34 Kannon Pilgrimage #11 Myoko-ji Temple

      Myoko-ji Temple was founded by the 9th head priest of the Akigawa 34 Kannon Pilgrimage #2 Kogon-ji Temple, Sei-Kyushu (?-1362), in 1362.

     When Toyotomi Hideyoshi invaded the Kanto Region in 1590, the temple was burned down.

     The temple's precincts have the monument for Satsuma Wakatayu IX, whose real name was Kato Kenjiro, who was the master of Sekkyo-bushi.

     Sekkyo-bushi is a storytelling art that arose in Japan at the end of the Kamakura Period (1185-1333).  It is a folk performing art that was established under the influence of Heikyoku, in which oral stories were recited by traveling monks who chanted to the accompaniment of the biwa, an instrument reminiscent of the lute.  It incorporated Buddhism's sabda-vidya from India.  In the Edo Period (1603-1867a9, it was refined with shamisen accompaniment.  It was at its peak from 1661 to 1692,but was performed in farming villages around Tokyo even after the Meiji Restoration.

     Satsuma Wakatayu I appeared in the 18th century, and Satsuma Wakatayu XIII is still active today.

Address: 1463 Ina, Akiruno, Tokyo 190-0142

Phone: 042-596-1848