Virtual Kubota Castle Town 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #30 Fudo-in Temple

 

     Fudo-in Temple was founded by Satake Yoshitaka (1609-1672), the 2nd lord of the Kubota Domain, in 1665, when his 1st son, Yoshioki (1633-1665) died.  Although the temple's name has Fudo=Acalanatha in its main part, its main deity is not Acalanatha but Mahakala, which is the main deity of the Koshin faith.  At the entrance of the temple's precincts, a stone monument with the phrase Koshin stands.

     The Koshin folk faith in Japan is a mixture of Taoism, Buddhism, and Shinto.  According to the faith, "Three Corpses" or "Three Worms" are demonic creatures that live inside the human body, and they seek to hasten the death of their host.  The Koshin rites were held to prevent their activities and, accordingly, to extend human life. 

     On the night of Koshin Day, while people are sleeping, the Three Corpses or Three Worms would either rise to heaven and report their hosts' daily deeds to the Heavenly Emperor or go down to hell to report to King Yama.  Depending on their crimes, the hosts' lifespan would be shortened or they would be sent to one of the three evil realms: hell, hungry ghosts, or animals.  Therefore, to prevent the Three Corpses or Three Worms from ascending to heaven or descending to hell, the whole village would gather on this night to worship Mahakala, and then stay up all night drinking and partying.  This rite is called Koshin-machi.  A year has 6 Koshin days.  Koshin monuments were erected to commemorate 18 consecutive Koshin rites in 3 years.  Some still remain in various places today.  The year 2025's Koshin days are February 20th, April 21st, June 20th, August 19th, October 18th, and December 17th.  As June 20th is Friday and October 18th is Saturday, some people might hold the rites even today.

Address: 4−1-70, Yabasehoncho, Akita 010-0973

Phone: 018-845-1243