Virtual Akigawa 34 Kannon Pilgrimage #19 Hoko-ji Temple

 

     There was a mineral spring in Shiosawa (namely Salt Stream), Hirai Village, Tama County, Musashi Province.  In the Kamakura Period (1185-1333), Bodai-in Temple was founded near the spring, enshrining Arya Avalokitesvara, who is the human-figure prototype of the other 6 metamorphoses.  In the Warring States Period (1467-1568), Priest Bunsai (1457-1547) transferred the temple from Tiantai School to Caodong School and changed its name to Hoko-ji in 1478.  Although Caodong temples usually enshrine Sakya Tathagata, the temple kept the Arya Avalokitesvara statue as its deity.

     Bunsai was born to the Okabe Family in Toshima County, Musashi Province, and studied under Priest Shoetsu at Daichu-ji Temple in Shimotsuke Province.  He became the head priest of Kogon-ji Temple in Kai Province in 1539.  When he stayed in Shiosawa, he rediscovered the effects and benefits of the mineral spring for injuries and wounds and spread the information to locals.  As people lived in the Warring States Period, the spring became popular, and its popularity as a spa continued until the end of the samurai world or the beginning of the Meiji Era.

Address: 3392 Hirai, Hinode, Nishitama District, Tokyo, Tokyo 190-0182

Phone: 042-597-0711