Virtual Chichibu 34 Kannon Pilgrimage #7 Hocho-ji Temple

 

     Hocho-ji Temple was founded by Uchida Shigekata, with Priest Seiwa (?-1606) as its priest.  The Uchida Family was a branch family of the Fujita Family.  When the Chichibu 33 Kannon Pilgrimage was reorganized into the Chichibu 34 Kannon Pilgrimage in the second half of the 16th century, Ushibuse-do Temple was moved to the precincts of Hocho-ji Temple as its Kannon-do Hall, which burned down in 1782. 

     In ancient times, there used to be the Musashi Seven Corps. The most part of Musashi Province was plateaus deeply covered with volcanic-ash soil, which was suitable for stock farming, not for rice growing. In ancient times, many of the naturalized Silla people then were sent to Musashi Province, and engaged in the stock farming. That stimulated local people there, and many stock farms were set up, including 6 imperial stock farms. The custodians of those farms later formed small-scale would-be-samurai families. By marriage, those would-be-samurai families composed 7 corps on the Musashi Plateaus. The Inomata Corps was one of the 7.

     Inomata Masayuki gained a foothold in Fujita Village, Hanzawa County, Musashi Province, which was located at the gateway of the Chichibu Valley.  He called his family Fujita, and built Hanazono Castle in 1155.  Later, the Fujita Family also built Hanazono-Mitake Fortress.

     Gyoki (668-749) was believed to have visited eastern provinces in the 710's with the Eleven-Faced Ekadasamukha statue which he carved.  When he passed Chichibu County, the statue suddenly became heavier.  He thought the statue wanted to be left there, and he did so.

     In 932, a vassal of the Fujita Family had been reincarnated as a bull due to  his evil deeds and vice.  He or it lived and died as a bull for generations.  When Fujita Saemon-no-kami was the lord of the fortress, the bull or he was put out to pasture, and it or he found the Ekadasamukha statue Gyoki had left, and it or he lay down on the spot.  Its or his ranchers noticed the statue too.  Locals gathered and founded Ushibuse-do Temple, namely Bull Lying Temple, on the spot.  The bull or he left the world of animals, Tiryagyoni.

Address: 1508 Yokoze, Chichibu District, Saitama 368-0072

Phone: 0494-22-1921