Virtual Old Mutsu 33 Kannon Pigrimage #31 Hogen-ji Temple

 

     It is unknown when Kyodo-ji Temple was founded in today's Matsumae District, Hokkaido.  It was changed to Obaku Chan School in 1704 by Priest Hakuan.  It is even unknown whether its original name was Kyodo-ji or not.  It is not surprising that the northern end of Honshu and the southern end of Hokkaido shared the same culture to organize one pilgrimage together.  Archaeologically speaking, the Satsumon Culture spread in the northern part of Honshu, the southern part of Hokkaido, and Sakhalin, and lasted from the 7th century to the 13th century.  If the Satsumon culture people were involved in organizing the Old Mutsu 33 Kannon Pilgrimage, it was probable that they included a temple across the Tsugaru Strait.

     In 1911, Kyodo-ji Temple was merged to Hogen-ji Temple, which also belongs to Obaku Chan School.

     Obaku Chan School is one of 3 main schools of Japanese Chan Buddhism, in addition to the Linji School, which was imported in the 12th century, and Caodong School, which was imported in the 13th century.  The Obaku School was founded in Japan by the Chinese priest Yinyuan (1592–1673), who immigrated to Japan during the Manchu conquest of China in the 17th century.  Relatively a newcomer, the school might have tried to extend their frontier, making use of local ancient worship.

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