Virtual Iruhi Bando 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #31 Jigan-bo Hermitage

 

     Tonomine Shrine was founded in 706 by bringing the hair of the late Fujiwara Kamatari (614-669) from Tanzan Shrine in Yamato Province.  The shrine's name was after where he was enshrined in Yamato Province.  When Kamatari died, he was buried in Settsu Province.  He was later re-buried in Yamato Province, and Tanzan Shrine was founded where he was re-buried.

     The hair was brought by those who proclaimed themselves to be Kamatari's offspring.  Their offspring founded Jigan-bo Hermitage and enshrined the statue of Arya Avalokitesvara, who is the human-figure prototype of the other 6 metamorphoses.  Their offspring became the Muto Family, who live where the hall is located.

     Were they really the offspring of Kamatari in Nishidaira?  They weren't documented in the central government.  The most of the documented sons of Kamatari became high-ranking noblemen.  However, Kamatari's 1st son, Mahito (643-666), traveled to Tang China as a Buddhist monk belonging to the Japanese envoy to Tang China.  He resided at Huiri School in Huide Fang, Chang'an, and studied under Xuanzang's disciple, Priest Shentai.  In September, 665, he returned to Japan via Baekje in the Korean Peninsula.  It is said that he returned to Japan with a Chinese delegation of more than 250 personnel under the ambassador, Liu Degao.  Mahito died in December of the same year in Ohara, Takaichi County, Yamato Province.

     It's a mystery that Mahito became a Buddhist monk when the Fujiwara Clan was against Buddhism at the time.  There might have been emotional (political?) conflicts among Kamatari's family.

Address: 1515 Nishidaira, Tokigawa, Hiki District, Saitama 355-0364

Tonomine Shrine

Address: Nishidaira, Tokigawa, Hiki District, Saitama 355-0364

Abuyama Tumulus

Address: Nasahara, Takatsuki, Osaka 569-1041

Tanzan Shrine

Address: 319 Tonomine, Sakurai, Nara 633-0032

Phone: 0744-49-0001