Virtual Shonai 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #29 Nanokamachi Kannon-do Hall

 

     Ryuzo-ji Temple was founded by Priest Zenshi in Chiyasukyoden Village (ChiyasukyodenTsuruoka, Yamagata 997-1114), Oizumi Manor, Tagawa County, Dewa Province, sometime between 1504 and 1521.  At that time, Oizumi Manor was ruled by the Daihoji Family.

     Daihoji Yoshimasu (1522-1581) tried to extend his territory, but his aggressiveness involved the manor in the flames of war.  In 1568, he was defeated by Uesugi Terutora (1530-1578) of Echigo Province, and had to send his son, Yoshiuji (1551-1583), to Echigo as a  hostage.  In 1569, Yoshimasu retired and Yoshiuji returned to their territory.  Finally in 1583, Yoshiuji was betrayed by his vassal and was cornered to kill himself.  In one of the battles, Ryuzo-ji Temple burned down and its Buddhist images, Buddhist furniture, and documents were lost.

     In 1601, Ryuzo-ji Temple was revived by Priest Uncho. In 1606, Mogami Yoshiaki (1546-1614), the new ruler, changed the name of the castle from Daihoj to Tsurugaoka, and expanded it.  At that time, when the people of Nanukamachi were to repair the Uchikawa River, which runs through the castle town, the statues of Arya Avalokitesvara, who is the human-figure prototype of the other 6 metamorphoses, and Mahavairocana, were found.  Some said they were those which had been enshrined in Ryuzo-ji Temple.  Yoshiaki regarded that as a good omen, and supported the town's people to found Ryufuku-ji Temple in order to enshrine the statues in their present location.

     Ryufuku-ji Temple was burned down on May 8th, 1898.  It was not possible for the town's people to revive it, and they built Nanukamachi Kannon-do Hall instead.  In April 1908, the hall came to belong to Nangaku-ji Temple although its maintenance is carried out by the community.

Tsurugaoka will thrive

With its crops continuous

For centuries to come.

     The population of Tsuruoka City was the largest in 1955.  It will be reduced by half in 2040.

Address: 2-11-7,Honcho,Tsuruoka-shi,Yamagata  997-0034

Ryuzo-ji Temple

Address: 3-6 Mutsumimachi, Tsuruoka, Yamagata 997-0817

Phone: 0235-22-7886

Nangaku-ji Temple

Address: 18-6 Midorimachi, Tsuruoka, Yamagata 997-0046

Phone: 0235-23-5054