Virtual Shonai 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #17 Toko-ji Temple

 

     Toko-ji Temple was founded in Asuka Village, Akumi County, Dewa Province, in 1279, by Priest Tokuho. 

     Asuka Shrine was founded in 807, inviting the god of Asuka Niimasu Shrine.  Presumably, people in Asuka, Yamato Province, immigrated as farmer-soldiers with their original god.

     In 712, Ideha Province was separated from Koshi Province.  In 780, however, the Ideha Provincial Government Office retreated from today's Akita to today's Sakata.  The Imperial Court sent farmer-soldiers to the surrounding area around the provincial government office to support the frontline.  There also used to be Miwa Village (today's Miwa, Tsuruoka, Yamagata 999-7634), where farmer-soldiers from Miwa, Yamato Province, could have settled.

     For about half a millennium, their offspring didn't have a Buddhist temple, probably influenced by surrounding northern foreigners who regarded their own local gods more important.  Presumably, samurai from the Kanto Region brought Buddhism to Asuka Village after the establishment of the Kamakura Shogunate in 1180 and its triumph over ancien regime in Mutsu Province, the Fujiwara Clan, in 1189.

     The Kanto samurai brought a stndardized religion to Dewa Province.  They were, on the other hand, localized.

     Jibukyonotsubone (1152-1231) was the wife of Taira Tomomori (1152-1185).  Her brother, Muto Yorihira, worked for the Imperial Guards, and then was dispatched to Musashi Province by Tomomori.  Yorihira's children continued to live in the province.  Yorihira's second son, Ujihira, fought for Minamoto Yoritomo (1147-1199).  After Yoritomo destroyed the Fujiwara Clan in Mutsu Province, he appointed Ujihira as the samurai steward of Oizumi Manor, which came to be owned by the Hojo Clan, in the estuary of Akagawa River in Dewa Province.  The Muto Family practically managed and practically ruled the manor for generations.  Even after 1333, when the Hojo Clan was destroyed, the ownership of the manor was transferred to the Uesugi Clan, who provided the Regents of the Kanto Deputy Shogunate, in 1361, the Muto Family's position didn't change.

     The Muto Family, later as the Daihoji Family, ruled not only the Oizumi Manor but the Shonai Plain at large  from 1192 to 1587 for 395 years.  Their family headships were handed down as follows: Muto Ujihira  - Moriuji - Ujikage - Daihoji Akiuji - Nagamori - Morouji - Chikajui - Mochiuji - Noriuji - Kiyouji - Takeuji - Masauji - Sumiuji - Ujitoki - Harutoki (1512-1541) - Yoshimasu (1522-1581) - Yoshiuji (1551-1583) - Yoshioki (1554-1587).  Yoshioki was completely defeated by Mogami Yoshimitsu, and killed himself on November 24th, 1587.

     The 12th head, Masauji, inherited the headship in 1472.  That means it took 11 generations to get over 220 years, 20 years a generation on average.  Then, by the time Toko-ji Temple was founded in 1279, the Muto Family had already changed their family name Daihoji after the place name they were based in.

     Then, who brought a standardized religion precisely to Asuka?  It must have been the Sagoshi Family, who built Sagoshi Fortress about 1 kilometer west-northwest from Toko-ji Temple.  An unknown samurai was appointed as an official of Akumi County when the Muto Family moved to Oizumi Manor.  He could have been a relative or a servant of the Muto Family.  The samurai first administered government business at the county government office in Ichijo (IchijoSakata, Yamagata 999-8232).  Later, he moved to Sagoshi Mansion, which had been built in 1154.  Then, his family settled down there.  It is unknown whether his family was called Sagoshi after the place name or the place was called Sagoshi after the family name.

     However unknown the founder of the family might have been, the Sagoshi Family came to defy their boss, the Daihoji Family.  The presence of the Ando Pirates slipped in and out of the background of their defiance.  Finally, when the allied forces of the Uesugi Clan and the Daihoji Family attacked the Mogami Clan in August , 1588, the Sagoshi Family fought for the Mogami Clan, and lost.  The family fled north, counting on Ando Chikasue (1539-1587), whose wife was a daughter of Sagoshi Sojun.

Just rely on the high vow

Eleven-Faced Ekadasamukha had made

As high as birds flying over roofs.

Address: 104 Asuka, Sakata, Yamagata 999-6711

Phone: 0234-52-3366

Asuka Shrine

Address: Donogo-92 Asuka, Sakata, Yamagata 999-6711

Phone: 0234-52-2486

Asuka Niimasu Shrine

Address: 708 Asuka, Takaichi District, Nara 634-0103

Phone: 0744-54-2071

Omiwa Shrine

Address: 1422 Miwa, Sakurai, Nara 633-0001

Phone: 0744-42-6633

Sagoshijoatohonmaru Park (Sagoshi Fortress Ruins)

Address: Tatenouchi-232-1 Sagoshi, Sakata, Yamagata 999-6701