Virtual Mogami 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #12 Choko-in Temple

 

     According to tradition, Minamoto Yoriyoshi (998-1075) presented his personal guardian Buddhist image, which was 5-centimeters tall gold Eleven-Faced Ekadasamukha image, and which he put in his helmet in fighting, after suppressing rebels in Mutsu Province.

     Yoriyoshi was appointed as the governor of Mutsu Province in 1051. It took him 12 years to suppress the Abe Family in the province.  The war was later mistakenly called the Former Nine-Year War (1051-1062).  In the war, he asked the Kiyohara Clan in Ideha Province for help.  It was probable that Yoriyoshi paid a courtesy call on the Kiyohara Clan at Ideha Province.  On February 16th, 1063, Yoriyoshi returned to Kyoto in triumph with the heads of Abe Sadato (1019-1062) and Fujiwara Tsunekiyo (?-1062).

     Later, Choko-in Temple was founded to take care of the image and its hall.

Address: 23-3 Hasedo, Yamagata, 990-2363

Phone: 023-688-5901