Virtual Okitama 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #23 Koden-ji Temple

 

     Koden-ji Temple was founded sometime between 1532 and 1555 by Priest Bonshu.

     Date Tanemune (1488-1565), who ruled Okitama County, attempted to have Uesugi Sadazane (?-1550), who was the Guardian Samurai of Echigo Province, adopt Tanemune's third son, Sanemoto (1527-1587).  His aggressive politics, however, sparked a civil war within the Date Family known as the Tenbun War (1542-1548).  The war resulted in Tanemune's replacement as the family head by his eldest son, Harumune (1519-1578).  It also devastated some temples.  Bonshu rescued and integrated those temples and founded Koden-ji Temple.

     Kurosawa Village was first documented in 1480.  Aoki Shichiemon presented an image of Arya Avalokitesvara, who is the human-figure prototype of the other 6 metamorphoses, to Kichicho-ji Temple in Kurosawa Village (Kurosawa, Iide, Nishiokitama District, Yamagata 999-0603), Okitama County, Dewa Province, in 1706.  A hall was built for the image in its precincts in 1735.

     It is unknown when and why Kichicho-ji Temple was abolished.  Its Arya Avalokitesvara image and its hall were moved to Koden-ji Temple, adding an extra touch to its rescue history.

Address: 528 Kurosawa, Iide, Nishiokitama District, Yamagata 999-0603

Phone: 0238-72-3354