Virtual Musashino 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #23 Joshin-ji Temple

 

     Joshin-ji Temple was founded by Priest Iton (?-1616) in Yaoroshi Village, Koma County, Musashi Province.  Maeganuki Village was developed where the Nariki River merges into the Iruma River.  Legend has it that 3 arrows shot by Taira Masakado (?-940) arrived at the area.  Speculating what the legend meant, I think I can say that a few of Masakado's remnants might have hidden themselves in the area.

     Taira Masakado (903-940)was born in Shimousa Province: specifically and presumably either in Toyoda or Sashima County, which were both along the Kinu River.  Later, he left for Kyoto at the age of either 15 or 16 to be hired by Fujiwara Tadahira (880-949), who was the 2nd Prime Minister at the time and who became the Prime Minister in 924, to climb up the social ladder.  After 12 years or so, he returned to the Kanto Region, without achieving anything in the central political circles.  In 939, Masakado tried to be independent from Japan in the Kanto Region.  His revolt was suppressed and his head was believed to be buried in some places around Japan.  In short, he generated countless legends.  It took samurai over 2 centuries to establish the government by samurai, for samurai, of samurai: the Kamakura Shogunate.

     Later, Yaoroshi and Iwabuchi Villages became independent from Maeganuki Village on the upper part along Iruma River and on the upper part along Nariki River respectively.

     The 6th priest, Ryoken, built a Vaisravana hall in 1782, and Priest Taigan built a Bhaisajyaguru hall.  Joshin-ji Temple is also the #9 member of the Koma 33 Kannon Pilgrimage.

Address: 222 Yaoroshi, Hanno, Saitama 357-0042

Phone: 042-972-3937