Virtual Saitama City Chichibu 34 Kannon Pilgrimage #9 Hozo-in Temple

 

     It is unknown when Hoju-in Temple was founded in Yamazaki Hamlet, Mimuro Village, Adachi County, Musashi Province.  It was abolished in 1868, with its Kannon-do hall and graveyard left.  Its precincts used to have an itabi dated the second year of Miroku Era, which is presumed to be 1507.

     Ashikaga Masauji (1462-1531) became the second Koga Kanto Deputy Shogun in 1489.  First, he cooperated with Uesugi Sadamasa (1446-1494), who was the head of the Ogigayatsu-Uesugi Family, but after Sadamasa’s death, Masauji went over to the Regent of the Kanto Deputy Shogunate, Uesugi Akisada (1454-1510), who was the head of the Yamanouchi-Uesugi Family.  In 1496, Masauji fought against Sadamasa's son, Tomoyoshi (1473-1518), in the Battle of Musashi-Kashiwara.  On November 13th, 1504, Masauji fought against Tomoyoshi again in the Battle of Tachikawanohara.  Those battles were part of the Chokyo War fought in the Kanto Region from 1487 to 1505 between the Yamanouchi-Uesugi and Ogigayatsu-Uesugi Families.

     After the 2 families were reconciled in 1505, however, Masauji realized he had been made use of as a banner.  His first son, Takamoto (1485-1535), and his second son, Yoshiaki (?-1538), parted from him to be another Kanto Deputy Shogun.  Masauji's important and powerful vassals left him one after another.  In 1512, he was forced to abdicate by Takamoto.  Ironically enough, Masauji counted on Tomoyoshi and moved to Kuki, Musashi Province.  In 1518, Masauji’s 2nd son, Yoshiaki (?-1538), parted from Masauji and Takamoto, called himself a Kanto Deputy Shogun, and based in Oyumi Castle in Shimousa Province.

     Some Kanto samurai and people fed up with the power games among high-ranking samurai, and used their own era name Miroku, or Maitreya.

Address: 1 Chome-16-6 Yamazaki, Midori Ward, Saitama, 336-0903