Virtual Kodama Saigoku 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #29 Kofuku-ji Temple

 

     Priest Ryutetsu (?-1588) founded Kofuku-ji Temple in 1582, supported by Hojo Ujikuni (1541-1597).

     Taking advantage of the sudden death of Oda Nobunaga (1534-1582), Hojo Ujinao (1562-1591) soon launched an attack on the Oda Clan's territory, Kozuke Province.  The Kanna River ran along the border between the Kozuke and Musashi Provinces.  Takikgawa Kazumasu (1525-1586), who was a vassal of Nobunaga, faced off against the Hojo forces at Kannagawa.  Kazumasu had 18,000 troops, while Ujinao wielded 55,000.  Ujikuni, who was the uncle of Ujinao, fought for Ujinao in the Battle of Kannagawa.  Presumably, Kufuku-ji Temple was founded to pray for the comfort of the war dead.  When its main hall was repaired in 1974, a small mound was found right under the main deity, Sakyamuni.  The mound had 606 stones with one letter or more drawn on each of them.  It's relatively a new type of a sutra mound in those days.  Presumably, 606 people supported or took part in the construction of the mound and, accordingly, the temple.

     Kofuku-ji Temple also enshrines Horse-Headed Hayagriva.  They could have prayed for the comfort of the horses killed in battle too.

Address: 769 Kodamacho Miyauchi, Honjo, Saitama 367-0226

Phone: 0495-72-3382