Virtual Kubota Castle Town 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #29 Raiko-ji Temple

 

     The Hodono area was between Tsuchizaki Port and the Kubota Castle town.  If any enemy attacked the castle from the sea like pirates, the area should have been at the forefront to defend the castle.  They had foot soldiers live in the area.

     Raiko-ji Temple was brought to the area from Hitachi Province in 1612 to provide an official Buddhist temple for the soldiers.  In the same year, Shotai-ji Temple was founded in the east of Raiko-ji Temple.  Renju-ji Temple had been founded in 1595, and was moved to its present place, in the west of Raiko-ji Temple, in 1620 in addition to the 2 temples.  Raiko-ji Temple belongs to Pure Land Buddhism, Shotai-ji Temple belongs to Ji Sect of Pure Land Buddhism, and Renju-ji Temple belongs to Hokke School, or Lotus School.  In the Kubota Domain, Caodong Chan School was popular among samurai, but it seems foot soldiers preferred chanting simple prayers.

     Ibaraki Prefecture, Ex-Hitachi Province, has 3 Raiko-ji Temples including Raigo-ji Temple with the same Chinese characters.  It is unknown whether one of them has something to do with Raiko-ji Temple in Akita or not.

Address: 3-50 Hodonoteppomachi, Akita, 010-0913

Phone: 018-823-3879

Raiko-ji Temple

Address: Chikusei, Ibaraki 308-0111

Raiko-ji Temple

Address: 1877 Nagaya, Bando, Ibaraki 306-0642

Phone: 0297-35-0912

Raigo-ji Temple

Address: Miho, Inashiki District, Ibaraki 300-0413

Renju-ji Temple

Address: 3-55 Hodonoteppomachi, Akita, 010-0913

Phone: 018-823-2847