Virtual Chichibu 34 Kannon Pilgrimage #17 Jorin-ji Temple

 

     It is unknown when Jorin-ji Temple was founded.

     Mibu Yoshikado lived in Mutsu Province.  He was powerful, heartless, and merciless.  He often attacked people and killed animals with his bows and arrows.  He went to the river to catch fish in the summer, and he went to the mountains to hunt deer in the autumn.

     Hayashi Sadamoto, one of his vassals, tried to persuade him to stop his evil deeds, but he was rebuked by Yoshikado for his remonstrance.  His family was banished, drifted around, and arrived in Chichibu.  He and his wife died there with their 2-year-old baby left.  The baby was raised by Monk Kusho.  The baby grew up to be a priest, Kunen, and founded Jorin-ji Temple.

     According to the Anthology of Tales from the Past, which is supposed to have been compiled sometime between the 1120's and the 1150's, Kusho also visited Mutsu Province and had Yoshikado mend his ways, but that is an old story today.

Address: 21-3 Sakuragimachi, Chichibu, Saitama 368-0025

Phone: 0494-22-6857