Virtual New Mutsu 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #26 Chosen-ji Temple

 

     Eiho-ji Temple was founded in 1082 in Iwai County, Mutsu Province, supported by Makino Yasuaki.  The temple belonged to Tiantai Sect at first. 

     Iwai County was organized in 804.  At first, military rule was imposed in the county as well as in Isawa and Esashi Counties, which were organized at the same time, and in Shiwa, Waga, and Hinue Counties, which were organized in 811.  In the 10th century, Iwai County, which was located southernmost among the 6 counties, was transferred to a civilian government under the Mutsu Provincial Government in Taga Castle.

     Presumably, the Ohara area along the Satetsu River might have developed into an independent village at the beginning of the 11th century.

     The Later Three-Year War broke out in Mutsu and Dewa Provinces in 1083.  It was a kind of internal strife within the Kiyohara Clan at least at first.  First, Kiyohara Iehira (?-1087) and Kiyohira (1056-1128) fought against Sanehira (?-1083).  After Sanehira’s death, Iehira clashed against Kiyohira.  From the central government, Minamoto Yoshiie (1039-1106) intervened in the conflict.  The intervention brought victory to Kiyohira, who then picked up his paternal family name, Fujiwara, and the Kiyohara Clan disappeared in 1087.

     The rising of small-scale samurai-like powerful families like the Makino Family might have added fuel to fire.

     The temple was transferred to Caodong Chan School in 1444, and was renamed Chosen-ji in 1506.   The arrival of Caodong Chan School might mean the arrival of samurai's days.

     One day, while the priest was doing his usual religious service in the main hall, a young girl was listening intently.  The priest asked her where she came from.  She replied, "I am a turtle and live in the Kabutoyama Pond in the mountains.  I want to live here for tens of thousands of years, so please give me a Buddhist name."  The priest kindly accepted and gave her the Buddhist name "Horen Myoki."  The girl was delighted, thanked him many times, and returned to the mountain.

     The priest changed the temple's sango to Kiho-san and its jigo to Chosen-ji,.  Kiho means Turtle Peak, and Chosen means Long Fountain.  Believe it or not.

Address: Chosenjisaki−10−10, Daitocho Ohara, Ichinoseki, Iwate 029-0711

Phone: 0191-72-2267