Virtual Shinobu Chichibu 34 Kannon Pilgrimage #8 Ryuen-ji Temple

 

     Narita Ietoki, who lived at the turn of the 15th century, and who was said to be the 12th head of the family, founded Ryuen-ji Temple in the west of Sarao Village, where the Narita Family used to be based, in 1411, inviting Priest Seijun (?-1465), who lived in Amida-do Hall in Sarao Village. The temple might have been destroyed or burned down in the Eikyo War in 1438.  It was revived in 1440.  The Narita Family built Oshi Fortress in the east of Sarao Village in the 1470's.

     Ashikaga Mochiuji (1398-1439) became the 4th Kanto Deputy Shogun in 1409 at the age of 11.  Uesugi Ujinori (?-1417) became the Regent of the Kanto Deputy Shogunate in 1411 in his 40’s.  As Mochiuji entered the rebellious stage, he preferred Uesugi Norimoto (1392-1418).  Mochiuji replaced Ujinori with Norimoto in 1415.  Ujinori was forced to commit suicide on Joanuary 10th, 1417, but the aftermath led to the Eikyo War, which was fought between Mochiuji (1398-1439) and Uesugi Norizane (1410-1466), the Regent of the Kanto Deputy Shogunate.

     From 1560 to 1568, Nagao Kagetora (1530-1578) invaded the Kanto Region every year after harvest time to solve his domestic starvation.  In 1562, the temple burned down and, in the next year, it was revived by Narita Yasusue (1516-1590), who died in Oshi Castle when it was under siege of Ishida Mitsunari (1560-1600).

     In 1590, the Later Hojo Clan was destroyed and the Narita Family fell.  Donsetsu was the priest of Ryuen-ji Temple.  One day, Tokugawa Ieyasu (1542-1616) visited the temple on his way to falconry.  Donsetsu realized Ieyasu was Takechiyo, who learned penmanship together until Takechiyo left Mikawa Province at the age of 5 to be a hostage.  Donsetsu had been born into the Saigo Family in Mikawa Province.

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