Virtual Shinobu Chichibu 34 Kannon Pilgrimage #4 Tochiku-in Temple

 

     Tochiku-in Temple was founded by Kuge Shigemitsu (?-1196), who invited Priest Josui (?-1227).

     Tochiku-in Temple was revived by Uesugi Norikata (?-1560), who belonged to the Yamanouchi-Uesugi Family.  After the Ogigayatsu-Uesugi Family was destroyed in 1546, Norikata kept fighting to revive the Uesugi Clan in Musashi Province.  His son, Norimori (1530-1575), kept fighting as an Uesugi.  Norimori's son, Ujinori (?-1637), became subject to the Later Hojo Clan in 1578.  Ujinori's agonizing choice didn't pay off.  The Later Hojo Clan was destroyed in 1590, and Ujinori retreated to Sarashina County, Shinano Province, and changed his surname to Kubota.  Ujinori's son, Noritoshi (1579-1648), became also masterless, but was hired by Ikeda Teruoki (1611-1647) in 1617.  It is, however, very hard to stop toppling down the hill of misfortune.  On March 15th, 1645, Teruoki became mad and killed his wife and her maids.  Teruoki was dismissed on the 20th.  When he was sent to Okayama, Ujinori followed him.

     Tochiku-in Temple is known for its Dharma-doll-like rock.  When Abe Tadaaki (1602-1675) was the lord of the Shinobu Domain, he had the rock carried from Chichibu to his castle.  However, they lost it in the river on their way to the castle.  It was in 1925 that the rock was found in front of the temple in the Ara River.  It was carried to the temple.  Life is full of ups and downs.

Address: 1834 Kuge, Kumagaya, Saitama 360-0026

Phone: 048-522-0366