Virtual Okitama 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #31 Shoju-in Temple

 

     Shoju-in Temple was founded in Shozu Village, Okitama County, Dewa Province by the offspring of Murakami Yoshikiyo (1501-1573).  The temple's name sounds like a pun using the place name Shozu.  In Shinano and Echigo Provinces some spring water or clear water was called Shozu.

     The Murakami Family used to live as samurai in Shinano Province before the Takeda Clan invaded the province.  Murakami Yoshikiyo and his son, Kunikiyo (1546-1592), flew north to Echigo Province with their family members and followers, and came to fight for Uesugi Terutora(1530-1578) in 1553.  When the Uesugi Clan was moved to Yonezawa in 1600, the Murakami Family moved there with their guardian Buddhist image, Thousand-Armed Sahasrabhuja, which is believed to have been made in 806.

     Some of Yoshikiyo's offspring became farmers and have taken care of the Thousand-Armed Sahasrabhuja image and its hall.

     Priest Yunichi (1395-1472), who was known for his prayer for fire prevention and fire control, was said to have been born in its precincts.  He was given his first bath with the water of a well nearby.  Even today, the locals visit the well on the first Water Dragon day of the year, and sprinkle its water over their roofs.  Why don't you visit the well on January 23rd, 2025?

     Yunichi was born to Okama, a servant of a wealthy farmer, and was a fatherless child.  One day, Okama drowned, and he was raised by a priest of Henjo-ji Temple.  In 1422, Yunichi was engaged in ascetic practices in Mount Koya at the age of 27.  After he returned to Dewa Province, he revived Henjo-ji Temple.  In 1436, he visited Mount Koya again at the age of 41.  After his retirement, he stayed in Joraku-in Temple.  On January 13th, 1472, he abruptly disappeared at the age of 77.

     Although the Murakami Family still live in the Shozu area, Yunichi seems to be more famous than Yoshikiyo and his descendant samurai.

Address: 2253 Ikagawa, Nagai, Yamagata 993-0072

Phone: 0238-88-3331

Well of Priest Yunichi's First Bath

Address: 3869 Ikagawa, Nagai, Yamagata 993-0072

Henjo-ji Temple

Address: 14-8 Yokomachi, Nagai, Yamagata 993-0087

Phone: 0238-88-2285

Joraku-in Temple

Address: 10-38 Sakaemachi, Nagai, Yamagata 993-0084

Phone: 0238-84-1670