Virtual New Mutsu 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #29 Fumon-ji Temple

 

     Some say that Fumon-ji Temple was founded in 1241, supported by Kon Umanosuke, whose official name was Abe Sadatoshi.  He was the then lord of Nakayama Fortress and invited Priest Kigai, a disciple of Eisai (1141-1215), who established the Linqi Chan Sect.  Later, it was revived by Priest Nyogen in 1494 or 1504, and was converted to the Caodong Chan Sect.  Others say that it was founded by Priest Jusatsu in 1528.  In either case, its foundation was too late for the organization of the New Mutsu 33 Kannon Pilgrimage in 1123.

     There are 5 Niyama Shrines between Ofunato and Ishinomaki Cities.  Legend has it that Rikuzentakata also had Niyama Shrine and Fumon-ji Temple used to be located in the shrine's precincts.  Jusatsu is said to have moved the temple to its present place.

Niiyama Shrine in Ishinomaki is said to have been founded in 781 or 782.

     Presumably, Niiyama Shrine was invited to today's Rikuzentakata in the 9th century, and the image of Arya Avalokitesvara, who is the human-figure prototype of the other 6 metamorphoses, was enshrined as its original deity under the amalgamation of Shinto and Buddhism.  When Kasai Harushige (1469-1534) ruled the Pacific coast of Northern Miyagi Prefecture and Southern Iwate Prefecture, a certain political and military diastrophism took place in today's Rikuzentakata and its surrounding area.  Presumably, the Kon Family declined and the area became under the direct rule of the Kasai Family, who had migrated as samurai from the Kanto Region at the beginning of the Kamakura Period (1185-1333).

Address: Jitakesawa-181 Yonesakicho, Rikuzentakata, Iwate 029-2206

Phone: 0192-55-2034

Nakayama Fortress Site

Address: Nozawa, Yonesakicho, Rikuzentakata, Iwate 029-2206

Yonegasaki Fortress Ruins

Address: Tate-65-2 Yonesakicho, Rikuzentakata, Iwate 029-2206

Niiyama Shrine

Address: 3 Chome−35 Ogatsucho Kamiogatsu, Ishinomaki, Miyagi 986-1336

Phone: 0225-58-3355