Virtual Hiki Saigoku 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #6 Chofuku-ji Temple

 

     Chofuku-ji Temple was founded by Priest Yusen in 1312 between the Ando and Oppe Rivers, which are both brunches of the Iruma River.  The location is supposed to have been the western end of the Old Kawajima Island.  It is interesting that Hie Shrine was founded by Fukaya Masanao almost a century later than Chofuku-ji Temple.  Obviously, Masanao came to Kawajima Island after its development.  According to Matsuura Shigeki, crop acreage in Musashi Province increased for about 40 percent from the middle of the 10th century to the middle of the 15th century.  The development of Kawajima Island was part of the increase.

     In 1305, the Kagen Incident broke out.  On April 22nd, the residence of Hojo Sadatoki (1272-1311) was set on fire.  He was the head of the mainline family of the Hojo Clan.  Next day, his 12 vassals killed Hojo Tokimura (1242-1305), a leader of other minor families of the clan.  11 out of the 12 were beheaded on May 2nd.  On May 4th, Hojo Munakata (1278-1305), Sadatoki’s brother-in-law, was killed, framed for everything.

     Sadatoki’s doubts and fears might have caused, or at least worsened, the incident.  Losing his loyal vassals and blood brother as well to evade responsibility, Sadatoki got addicted to drinking.  The autocracy by the head of the mainline Hojo Clan began rapidly breaking down. 

     Nagasaki Takatsuna (?-1333) was the butler of the Hojo Clan, and became the most powerful samurai in the Kamakura Shogunate after 1307.  The Kamakura Shogunate was destroyed in 1333.

Address: 847 Tomori, Kawajima, Hiki District, Saitama 350-0166