Virtual Mogami 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #14 Shoho-ji Temple

 

     It is unknown when fragrant wood was carved into an image of Thousand-Armed Sahasrabhuja.  It was enshrined in Oka Village, Murayama County, Ideha Province.  Later, Shoho-ji Temple was founded to take care of the image and its hall.  Sometime between 1169 and 1171, the temple was caught in fire.  After the fire, Shoho-in Temple moved to Nagasaki Village nearby.

    In 1384, Nakayama Tsugunobu built Nagasaki Fort in Nagasaki Village, Murayama County, Ideha Province.  The surrounding area was a vast wetland in the Mogami River's floodplain.  The fort was built in the center of the reclaimed wetland.   The reclamation project was completed around 1445 by Tsugunobu's grandson, Munetomo.

     Oka literally means Hill and Nagasaki might have mentioned a long natural levee.  Shoho-ji Temple could have moved following the reclamation of the area.

Address: 449 Nagasaki, Nakayama, Higashimurayama District, Yamagata 990-0401

Phone: 023-662-2366

Oka Kannon

Address: 69 Oka, Nakayama, Higashimurayama District, Yamagata 990-0408