Virtual Kodama Saigoku 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #30 Enryu-ji Temple

 

     Enryu-ji Temple was founded by Priest Chokei in Kanaya Village, Kodama County Musashi Province,in 1538.

     In Konodai in 1538, the Oyumi Kanto Deputy Shogun led his 10000-strong cavalry and clashed against the Koga Kanto Deputy Shogun with 20000-strong cavalry. Someone from Kanaya Village might have been mobilized.  The Oyumi Kanto Deputy Shogun, Ashikaga Yoshiaki (?-1538), was killed in battle, and Koga’s side won.  Yoshiaki's first son, Yoshizumi (?-1538), was also killed in battle, and Yoshiaki's younger children fled to Awa Province, counting on the protection of Satomi Yoshitaka (1507-1574).  However, the mastermind of the Koga Deputy Shogun, the Later Hojo Clan, was too powerful for the Satomi Clan to shelter them.  Yoshiaki's second and third sons were sent to Sekido-ji Temple in Kazusa Province and his 3 daughters were sent to Taihei-ji Temple in Kamakura, Sagami Province.  They became under the patronage, or the supervision, of the Later Hojo Clan.

     Enryu-ji Temple was founded when the Later Hojo Clan was discontented with Sagami Province and was trying to break into the entire Kanto Region.

     Enryu-ji Temple's main deity is Akasagarbha, known also as Gaganaganja.  The temple also enshrines Eleven-Faced Ekadasamukha as the #30 deity of the Kodama Saigoku 33 Kannon Pilgrimage.

      As Akasagarbha's wisdom is said to be boundless as space itself and Akasagarbha is regarded as the 13th Bodhisattva, some 13-year-old children in Japan pray to Akasagarbha on either March 13th, April 13th, or May 13th.

Address: 883-1 Kodamacho Kanaya, Honjo, Saitama 367-0216

Phone: 0495-72-0355