Virtual Iruhi Bando 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #30 Fumon-ji Temple

 

     In 938, Minamoto Tsunemoto (?-961) was assigned to the vice governor of Musashi Province when Prince Okiyo (?-940) was assigned to the acting governor of the province.  They tried to carry out a land survey as soon as they arrived in the province.  Musashi Takeshiba, who was the head of Adachi County, refused the land survey, saying, "A land survey has never been carried out before the arrival of the Provincial Governor."  Tsunemoto and Okiyo sent out soldiers to attack and plunder the residence of Takeshiba.

     Hearing this story, Taira Masakado (?-940) from Shimousa Province visited Takeshiba with his private army.  Tsunemoto and Okiyo barricaded themselves in Mt. Safuku in Hiki County with their wives and children.  Later, Okiyo climbed down from the mountain and gave an audience to Masakado and Takeshiba at the Musashi Provincial Government Office.  However, Tsunemoto remained on the mountain as he was dissatisfied.  In the government office, a reconciliation was established between the two parties, and a banquet was held.  In the midst of the party, Takeshiba's soldiers surrounded Tsunemoto's camp.  Convinced that he would be killed by Masakado and others, Tsunemoto hurriedly fled back to Kyoto, and accused the Imperial Court that Masakado, Okiyo, and Takeshiba conspired to rebel.   Masakado and others sent certificates from the provincial governments of Hitachi, Shimousa, Shimotsuke, Musashi, and Kozuke dated May 2nd, 939, to Fujiwara Tadahira (880-949), the Prime Minister, stating, "the rebellion was groundless."  Masakado and others' explanation was accepted, and, on the contrary, Tsunemoto was detained on the charge of slander.

     In November 939, Masakado occupied Hitachi Provincial Government Office, and then he attacked and occupied other provincial government offices in the Kanto Region one after another.  In December, he declared himself to be 'the new emperor' at Kozuke Provincial Government Office and arbitrarily ruled over the occupied provinces.  Truth sprang from lies.  Tsunemoto was not only released because his previous false accusation came true, but also he was promoted to Junior Fifth Rank, Lower Grade, because of his merit.  Tsunemoto was appointed as one of the vice-commanders and headed for the suppression of Masakado's rebellion.  Before his arrival, Masakado was hunted down and killed.

     Even today, some people perform a religious rite to purify the 4 directions, North, South, East, and West.  When Tsunemoto arrived in Musashi, although it is unknown whether on his first or second arrival, he climbed Mt. Yumitate and shot 4 arrows in 4 directions to purify Musashi Province, according to tradition.  Although it is just 427 meters tall, it commands a panoramic view of the Kanto Plain.

     Mt. Safuku hasn't been identified yet.  Can Mt. Yumitate be Mt. Safuku?

     Anyway, Fumon-ji Temple was founded at the foot of Mt. Yumitate.  Its foundation date is unknown, and it has no priest today.

Address: 429 Otsuki, Tokigawa, Hiki District, Saitama 355-0363

Mt. Yumitate

Address: Otsuki, Tokigawa, Hiki District, Saitama 355-0363