Virtual Shonai 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #7 Hoko-in Temple

 

     Kasuga Shrine, the guardian deity of the Fujiwara Clan, was founded along Kurokawa River in Ideha Province in 807.  Tradition says that Fujiwara Tsunetsugu (796-840) was the governor of the province and that he founded the temple.  It wasn't, however, recorded that he was ever appointed to be the governor of the province.  Fun'ya Watamaro (765-823) was appointed to be the governor in 801 to help Sakanoue Tamuramaro  (758-811) subjugate the rebellion in Mutsu Province.  An officer who belonged to the Fujiwara Clan could have been dispatched to Ideha Province to manage its administration.  He could have founded the shrine.  Hoko-in Temple was founded in 853 as its shrine temple.  The same or another member of the clan could have founded the temple in the name of Tsunetsugu, who had been appointed as the ambassador of the Japanese mission to Tang China in 834 for the 2 generations in a row after his father, Kadonomaro (755-818).  That was a very exceptional measure and that shows Tsunetsugu was the pride of the clan.

Black River is so black

As if to dye Budhhist robes black.

As if its waves show the fruit of Buddhism.

Address: Miyanoshita-290 Kurokawa, Tsuruoka, Yamagata 997-0311

Phone: 0235-57-3866