Virtual Shinobu Chichibu 34 Kannon Pilgrimage #22 Anraku-ji Temple

 

     Fujiwara Fuhito (659-720) was said to have founded Anraku-ji Temple in Beppu, Hara County, Musashi Province, sometime between 717 and 724, enshrining life-sized Buddha, Amitabha, and Bhaisajyaguru.  From 717 till his death in 720, Fuhito was busy installing local administration and couldn't leave the capital.  As the county office is supposed to have been located in Beppu, the foundation of the temple there might have been owed to Fuhito.

Generations later, Fujiwara Tadataka, a grandson of Michinaga (966-1028), moved to Musashi Province, seeking a better job and income.  His great grandson, Yukitaka, added 6 other Amitabha and made it 9.  He called his family Beppu after the place name.  The building which enshrined the 9 Buddhist statues came to be called Kuhonbutsu-do Hall, namely 9 Types Buddhas Hall.  Beppu Yorishige (1314-1354) revived the temple.

     Ashikaga Ujimitsu (1359-1398), the second Kanto Deputy Shogun, not only visited Yudono Shrine but also visited Kuhonbutsu-do Hall to pray for his victory.  They answered to his prayer, and Oyama Yoshimasa (?-1382) visited the hall and made an apology to Ujimitsu.

     Do you believe the Beppu Family's history?

     In the 8th century, rice fields were rezoned by the unit of 11,881 square meters.  Horizontal 6 units was called Jo, and vertical 6 units was called Ri.  Accordingly, the rezoning system was called the Jori system.

     After the Former Nine Years' War or the Early Nine Years' War (1051-1063), the Yokoyama Corps advanced to the Jori-system rice fields along the Tone River.  It means they tried to embezzle old rice fields.  Jori-system rice fields lay in the north of Beppu or the Site of Hara County Ancient Office Buildings.  The Beppu Family could have been a branch of the Yokoyama Corps.  They might have decorated their family history with the Fujiwara Clan, one of the 4 most popular clans: the Minamoto, Taira, Tachibana, and Fujiwara Clans.

     Even today, we have many family names which are said to have derived from Fujiwara.  They pronounce Fuji as To or Do.  The top 16 are 01 Sato, who are said to have lived in Sano Manor, Aso County, and Shimotsuke Province; 02 Ito, who are said to have worked as Danjodai; 03 Kato, who are said to have lived in Kaga Province; 04 Saito, who are said to have worked for Saigu; 5 Goto, who are said to have lived in Bingo Province; 06 Kondo, who are said to have lived in Omi Province; 07 Endo, who are said to have lived in Totomi Province; 08 Kudo, who are said to have done woodwork; 09 Ando, who are said to have lived in Azumi County, Shinano Province; 10 Naito, who are said to have worked as nai-toneri; 11 Sudo, who are said to have lived in Nasu County, Shimotsuke Province; 12 Muto, who worked as samurai; 13 Shindo, who are said to have done repairing; 14 Shindo, who are said to have lived in Niiza County, Musashi Province; 15 Shinto, who are said to have worked for Suwa Shrine; and 16 Shunto, who are believed to have lived in Kasuga, Soekami County, Yamato Province.

     We have more family names which are believed to have derived from Fujiwara.  Randomly, they include Eto, who are said to have lived in Oe, Hotaku County, Higo Province; Eto, who are believed to have been members of the Royal guards; Kaitou, who are said to have lived in Kaito County, Owari Province, or in Atsumi Village, Nishitagawa County, Uzen Province; Kito, who are said to have lived in Ki Province; Okato, who are said to have lived in Okabe, Shida County, Suruga Province; Sato, who are believed to have worked as lieutenants; Shinto, who are said to have lived in Hanishina County, Shinano Province; Shudo, who are believed to have worked for Royal stables; Suto, who are said to have lived in Suo Province; Bito, who are said to have lived in Owari Province; and Hyodo,  who are believed to have worked as samurai.

     It's not surprising at all that the Beppu Family picked up the Fujiwara Clan to decorate their family tree.

Address: 2044 Nishibeppu, Kumagaya, Saitama 360-0857

Phone: 048-532-3242

Kuhonbutsu-do Hall

Address: 2108 Nishibeppu, Kumagaya, Saitama 360-0857

The Site of Hara County Ancient Office Buildings

Address: Higashigata, Fukaya, Saitama 366-0041

Phone: 048-577-4501