Virtual Hiki Saigoku 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #1 Kanzo-in Temple

 

     Kanzo-ji Temple was founded as the shrine temple of Matsuyama Shrine, which used to be called Hikawa Shrine.

     When Wakatarashihiko was the Emperor in the 4th century, he appointed governors in remote provinces and put up warehouses of tax rice there.  Etakehi, who was from Izumo Province, was dispatched to Musashi Province.  In Izumo Province, today's Shimane Peninsula used to be an island in the Jomon Period (BC 14000-BC 10th century).  The Hi River filled the shallows between the Old Shimane Island and Honshu, and the Izumo Plain was formed about 10,000 years ago.  Rice growing arrived, and people there accumulated experience to change marshes and swamps into rice fields.  With this experience, Etakehi arrived at Musashi Province.  There, he or his offspring founded Hikawa Shrine, namely Hi River Shrine.  Presumably, he tried to control the floods of the Ara and Iruma Rivers.

     In the Jomon Period, Muashino Plateau's east side faced the sea. and the Ara and Iruma Rivers ran into the sea at the foot of the plateau.   The Hiki area used to be just 10 kilometers upstream from the mouth of the Ara River.  Etakehi , his offspring, his successors, and/or his followers tried to change marshes and swamps in the estuary of the Ara and Iruma Rivers into rice fields, and invited the god of Hikawa Shrine to their new rice fields.  Eventually, they became rich and powerful, or too rich and powerful for the Royal Family, or the Central Government.

     Emperor Hirokunioshitakekanahi (466-536) established Inukahi Be (dog breeder families) and added 41 Imperial manors during his reign.  How?

     In 534, Kasahara Omi and his cousin, Kasahara Oki, competing for the hegemony in Musashi Province.  Omi was afraid that Oki would kill him with help from Oguma in Kozuke Province.  Omi flew to the central capital, and asked the central government for help.  The government destroyed Oki.  Omi offered 4 manors, Yokomi, Tachibana, Tama, and Kuraki.

     The emperor must have been good at maneuvering local powerful families into conflicts.  And it was far before the days when Imperial armies were equipped with horses which were raised by those who came from the Korean Peninsula and by those who were transferred from the northern part of Japan.

     The god of Hikami Shrine was invited to Yokomi County in 1053.  Hikawa Shrines count over 250 in the Kanto Region. 

     Kanzo-ji Temple was abolished after the Meiji Restoration, and its Horse-Headed Hayagriva statue was moved to Joon-ji Temple.

Matsuyama Shrine

Address: 5-19 Hiyoshicho, Higashimatsuyama, Saitama 355-0012

Phone: 0493-23-4070

Joon-ji Temple

Address: 3 Chome-6-11 Matsuyamacho, Higashimatsuyama, Saitama 355-0018

Phone: 0493-22-1315

Hikawa Shrine

Address: 1-407 Takahanacho, Omiya Ward, Saitama 330-0803

Phone: 048-641-0137