Virtual Akigawa 34 Kannon Pilgrimage #18 Hozo-ji Temple

 

     Hozo-ji Temple was founded in 1199 to enshrine Bhaisajyaguru.  It was revived by Priest Keisho (?-1624) at the beginning of the Edo Period (1603-1867), when every citizen was ordered to belong to a temple.

     When Mr. and Mrs. Hiki Tomune had their first girl baby, Minamoto Yoritomo (1147-1199) was born.  Mrs. Hiki became Yoritomo's wet nurse.  When Yoritomo's father, Yoshitomo (1123-1160), was defeated by the Taira Clan in the Heiji Rebellion, Yoritomo was exiled to Izu Province.  Mr. and Mrs. Hiki returned to their homeland, Hiki County, Musashi Province.  Since then, Mrs. Hiki kept sending allowances for 20 years till 1180, when Yoritomo raised an army against the Taira Clan.  Although Mr. Hiki was already dead, Mrs. Hiki, Nun Hiki at the time, persuaded the Hiki Family to join Yoritomo's army.

     After Yoritomo's triumph and the establishment of the Kamakura Shogunate, Nun Hiki's first daughter was called Lady Tango.

     After Lady Tango's death, her personal guardian Buddhist image, Cintamanicakra, who usually has 6 arms and holds chintamani (a wish-fulfilling jewel) in one of the six, was enshrined in Mt. Kannon in western Musashi Province.  The image was brought down to Hozo-ji Temple in 1761.

Address: 263 Sugao, Akiruno, Tokyo 197-0801

Phone: 042-558-7506