Virtual Adachi Bando 33 Kannon Pilgrimage (the South) #1 Kannon-ji Temple

 

      Kannon-ji Temple was founded as a shrine temple of Omiya-Hikawa Shrine.  It was abolished after the Meiji Restoration Government issued the Gods and Buddhas Separation Order in 1868, and its membership of the Adachi Bando 33 Kannon Pilgrimage (the South) was moved to Manpuku-ji Temple.

     What is Hikawa Shrine?

     In Izumo Province, today's Shimane Peninsula used to be an island in the Jomon Period (BC 14000-BC 10th century).  The Hi River filled the shallows between the Old Shimane Island and Honshu, and the Izumo Plain was formed about 10,000 years ago.  Rice growing arrived, and people there accumulated experience to change marshes and swamps into rice fields.  With this experience, Etakehi arrived at Musashi Province.  There, he or his offspring founded Hikawa Shrine, namely Hi River Shrine.  Presumably, he tried to control the floods of the Ara and Iruma Rivers.

     In the Jomon Period, Muashino Plateau's east side faced the sea. and the Ara and Iruma Rivers ran into the sea at the foot of the plateau.   The Hiki area used to be just 10 kilometers upstream from the mouth of the Ara River.  Etakehi , his offspring, his successors, and/or his followers tried to change marshes and swamps in the estuary of the Ara and Iruma Rivers into rice fields, and invited the god of Hikawa Shrine to their new rice fields.

     Manpuku-ji Temple was founded in 1282 by Priest Koun (?-1312).

     The Second Mongol Invasion of Japan was carried out in 1281.  Their Eastern Route Army arrived at Hakata Bay on June 23rd with 17,000 sailors, 10,000 Korean soldiers, and 15,000 Mongols and Chinese. Their Southern Route Army consisted of 100,000 men on 3,500 ships.

     The foundation of Manpuku-ji Temple might have had something to do with the invasion.

Manpuku-ji Temple is the #33 member temple of the Adachi Bando 33 Kannon Pilgrimage (the North).  As you finish the Adachi Bando 33 Kannon Pilgrimage (the North), you are at the start of the Adachi Bando 33 Kannon Pilgrimage (the South).  So what?

Hikawa Shrine

Address: 1-407 Takahanacho, Omiya Ward, Saitama 330-0803

Phone: 048-641-0137

Manpuku-ji Temple

Address: 2 Chome-1003 Nisshincho, Kita Ward, Saitama, 331-0823

Phone: 048-663-6503