Virtual Musashino 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #19 Toko-ji Temple

 

     Toko-ji Temple was founded by Priest In'yu (?-1509), supported by the Shibusawa, Masuda, Yoshida, and Kuwata Families.  The temple enshrines Arya Avalokitesvara, who is the human-figure prototype of the other 6 metamorphoses.

     Presumably, Koyata Village was developed along the Kasumi River by the 4 families in the latter half of the 15th century.  The village first appeared in a written document in the latter half of the 16th century.  Hojo Ujiyasu authorized the village's dominion of Kaneko Ienaga (?-1546) on June 3rd, sometime between 1558 and 1570.  After the Later Hojo Clan collapsed in 1590, Gomai Toyonao (?- 1660) was authorized the dominion of the area including Koyata Village.

     The Old Tama River used to run through where Musashino Plateau is tens of thousands years ago.  From its midstream, the Old Tama River formed a vast alluvial fan with Ome at its top.  The alluvial fans formed the base of the present Musashino Plateau.   In addition, all other hills except Sayama Hills were removed by the river to create a flat area.  Tens of thousands of years ago, due to the uplift of the area where Musashino Plateau is, the middle stream of the Old Tama River was pushed to the southern edge of the plateau, and came to flow between the plateau and the northern edge of the Tama Hills as the Tama River does today.  The Kasumi River is supposed to be one of the old watercourses of the Old Tama River.  As it has no source and gathers rainwater, the village couldn't have large rice fields.  The village, however, provided good clay, and was known for its good roof tiles.  Many merchant buildings, temples, and shrines in Kawagoe and Tokorozawa were roofed with the Koyata tiles.

Address: 1437 Koyata, Iruma, Saitama 358-0026

Phone: 04-2962-5442