Kakuta Haruo---Decoding Japan---
Thursday, July 31, 2025
Virtual North Kawachi 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #33 Dainen-ji Temple
Dainen-ji Temple was founded by Priest Gan'a in 1314.
In 1305, the Kagen Incident broke out. On April 22nd, the residence of Hojo Sadatoki (1272-1311) was set on fire. He was the head of the head family of the Hojo Clan. The next day, his 12 vassals killed Hojo Tokimura (1242-1305), a leader of other minor families of the clan. 11 out of the 12 were beheaded on May 2nd. On May 4th, Hojo Munakata (1278-1305), Sadatoki’s brother-in-law, was killed, framed for everything.
The Kamakura Shogunate dispatched a mounted messenger to the shogunate's Rokuhara Tandai office in Kyoto and, accordingly, to the Imperial Court.
According to the April 27th entry of the diary of Sanjo Sanemi (1264-?), the first report brought by the messenger reads, "On the 23rd, at noon, Tokimura Ason, the Gondaifu of the Left Capital, was executed." According to the record by Nakahara Moshige, who was a kind of Secretary-General of the Imperial Court, "A courier from Kanto arrived. It says that Tokimura Ason, the Left Capital, was executed on the 23rd." No one other than Hojo Sadatoki could have "executed" Tokimura, who was second only to the Regent of the Kamakura Shogunate. Sadatoki had resigned the regent in 1301, Hojo Morotoki (1275-1311) was the Regent in 1305, but Sadatoki was still practically the top of the shogunate.
Kurasu Kaneo (?-1318) sent a letter, dated May 16th, to Ken'a (1261-1338), the 2nd head priest of Shomyo-ji Temple, mentioning the message conveyed by the messenger was sent by the Regent, Morotoki. Rokuhara Tandai had 2 chiefs: Kitakata (North) and Minamikata (South). Kitakata was higher-ranking than Minamikata. When the message arrived, Minamikata was Hojo Sadaaki (1278-1333), who was the son-in-law of Tokimura, and whose grandmother was Tokimura's sister. Kaneo depicted the situation in the Minamikata office as follows, "There was constant commotion in Kyoto. Some young men of the office carried their bows and arrows, and others hid their armor and stayed in the office at night. As they were ordered not to attend on duty, they simply retired from the office. Their nerves and livers were burning with fear. Not only in the office but also in the city of Kyoto, the situation was like this." In addition, the mother of Hojo Tokinori (1264-1307), Kitakata, was also a sister of Tokimura.
Later, around midnight on the night of May 7th, a courier arrived again from the Kamakura Shogunate to deliver the letter from Regent Morotoki. The letter read, "Suruga no Kami Munekata was executed today at noon due to his conspiracy. You should know the information and, furthermore, regarding this matter, you should notify those in Kyoto and the lords and retainers of the western provinces not to approach Kamakura."
Kurasu Kaneo continued in his aforementioned letter, "On the night of the 7th of this month around midnight, the courier visited Kyoto, regarding the affairs of Munekata. The world is naturally at peace as the plot is revealed in this way. It is especially pleasing for the sake of the nation, and especially for the sake of the Emperor." Also, the letter sent by Sadaaki to Ken'a on May 15th reads, "It is especially regrettable that Kyocho (referring to Hojo Tokimura) has met with such misfortune, but now that the plot has been revealed, the world is left as it should be." This suggests he had a sense of relief at finally being freed from the constant fear of being attacked by Kitakara. Kitakata, on the other hand, should have had the same fear of being attacked by Minamikata. Kyoto was really in commotion.
In the entry on May 8th, Sanemori describes Munekata, who had once been based in Kyoto as the Rokuhara Tandai, as "reputed to be a very wise man at the time," and describes his death as "sorry and pitiful."
Sadatoki’s doubts and fears might have caused, or at least worsened, the incident. Losing his loyal vassals and blood brother as well, to evade responsibility, Sadatoki got addicted to drinking. The autocracy by the head of the mainline Hojo Clan began rapidly breaking down.
Nagasaki Takatsuna (?-1333) was the butler of the Hojo Clan, and became the most powerful samurai in the Kamakura Shogunate after 1307. The Kamakura Shogunate was destroyed in 1333.
The commotion in Kyoto should have spread around the capital. In 1314, the local samurai should have heard something ominous and sinister approaching.
Address: 2 Chome-9-4 Horimizo, Neyagawa, Osaka 572-0814
Phone: 072-821-6132
Shomyo-ji Temple
Address: 212-1 Kanazawacho, Kanazawa Ward, Yokohama, Kanagawa 236-0015
Phone: 045-701-9573
Wednesday, July 30, 2025
Virtual North Kawachi 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #32 Miroku-ji Temple
It is unknown when Miroku-ji Temple was founded along Gongen River in Minamino Village, Sarara County, Kawachi Province. Its precincts have the Thirteen Buddhas Stone Monument, which is dated 1559. The temple could be as old as the monument or older.
Gongen River runs out of Muro Pond in Minamino, Shijonawate, Osaka 575-0022, and flows west. The area around the pond is identified to be Himuro in Sarara County, which is listed in the Engishiki, which is a book about laws and customs, and whose major part was completed in 927. The low land along the river is supposed to have belonged to Koka Village, which was developed under the Jori system.
In the 8th century, rice fields were rezoned by the unit of 11,881 square meters. Horizontal 6 units were called Jo, and vertical 6 units were called Ri. Accordingly, the rezoning system was called the Jori system. The Jori system in Yamaga village extended about 2,500 meters from east to west and about 654 meters from north to south. Gongen River distributes its water every 109 meters to form creeks.
Address: 3 Chome-6-11 Minamino, Shijonawate, Osaka 575-0021
Phone: 072-879-3694
Tuesday, July 29, 2025
Virtual North Kawachi 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #31 Shoen-ji Temple
It is unknown when Shoen-ji Temple was founded. As it is just across the street from Kuninaka Shrine, the temple’s foundation could have had something to do with the shrine.
It is unknown when Kuninaka Shrine was founded but it is listed in the Engishiki, which is a book about laws and customs, and whose major part was completed in 927.
Address: 422 Kiyotaki, Shijonawate, Osaka 575-0063
Phone: 072-876-2061
Kuninaka Shrine
Address: 4-48 Kiyotaki Nakamachi, Shijonawate, Osaka 575-0061
Phone: 072-862-0718
Monday, July 28, 2025
Virtual North Kawachi 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #30 Shoen-ji Temple
It is unknown when Shoen-ji Temple was founded. It was first documented in 1725.
As the temple was located along the East-Koya Highway and its ingo is Nanko-in, it might have had something to do with Kusunoki Masashige (?-1336), one of the most famous historical figures who destroyed the Kamakura Shogunate in 1333.
In one corner of the temple's precincts, many stone images and monuments that had lost their places due to nearby residential land development and road widening have been collected and are carefully enshrined. The oldest stone monument with the 6 Chinese characters of Namomitabhaya Buddhaya dates back to 1559, but it does not necessarily mean the temple was founded before the year. The temple used to belong to Yuzu Nembutsu School of Pure Land Buddhism.
Address: 1 Chome-8-12 Takakura, Neyagawa, Osaka 572-0864
Phone: 072-822-2831
Sunday, July 27, 2025
Virtual North Kawachi 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #29 Myoko-ji Temple
It is unknown when Myoko-ji Temple was founded. Its precincts have Raijin-seki, namely the Thunder God Stone, which was "made" in 1557. It is a tuff and is supposed to have been the reuse of a stone coffin. The precincts also have the Thirteen Buddhas Stone Monument, which was also made in 1557 by 19 local samurai before their death to pray for their comfort in the other world after their future death. It is unknown whether they were made after the foundation of the temple or the temple was founded for them.
What happened in 1557?
The Yasumi Family does not appear in historical documents until the mid-16th century. They are supposed to have had their base near the border between Yamashiro, Kawachi, and Yamato Provinces from the mid-15th century to mid-16th century.
Yasumi Munefusa first appears in historical documents in 1546. In September of that year, he marched out to battle as part of the Hatakeyama army on the side of Hosokawa Ujitsuna (1513-1564), along with Takayama Hiroyori (1517-1553), a local powerful samurai in Yamato Province. In October, together with Hiroyori, he petitioned the Hatakeyama Clan for the positions of the officers of the Upper Three Counties of Yamashiro Province: that is, Kadono, Otokuni, and Kii Counties. For your information; Uji, Kuse, Tsuzuki, and Soraku Counties were categorized into the Lower Four Counties of Yamashiro Province. It seems that, by that time, the samurai in the southern part of Yamashiro Province already recognized Munefusa and Hiroyori as de facto local rulers of the area.
The southern part of Yamashiro Province was originally under the influence of Kizawa Nagamasa (1493-1542), who had hegemony in Kawachi and Yamato Provinces in 1530's. He expanded his influence even in central politics through the Harakeyama Clan. Munefusa and Hiroyori are assumed to have been subject to Nagamasa. Life has its ups and downs. Miyoshi Nagayoshi (1522-1564) came from Awa Province. Yuza Naganori (?-1551) also expanded his influence in the Hatakeyama Clan. Ikeda Nobumasa (?-1548) was on the rise in Settsu Province. He pursued the support of Hosokawa Masaharu (1514-1563), the Regent of the Muromachi Shogunate, and Ashikaga Yoshiharu (1511-1550), the 12th Shogun of the Muromachi Shogunate, and advanced to Kyoto with his forces. Masaharu fled to Iwakura in the north of Kyoto, and Yoshiharu escaped to Sakamoto in Omi Province. Nagamasa was regarded as a rebel against the shogunate. The shogunate started the campaign to hunt down Nagamasa. On March, 17th, 1542, he was killed by the allied forces of the Hosokawa Clan, the Miyoshi Family, and Nagayori. In the battle, Munefusa and Hiroyori served under Harumoto, and later became subject to Naganori.
After the battle, Naganori was appointed as the acting Samurai Guardian of Kawachi Province, and Munefusa was appointed as the acting Samurai Steward of the northern counties.
On May 5th, 1551, Yuza Naganori was assassinated. Kayafuri Katatsugu (?-1552), who was appointed as the samurai steward of the southern counties of Kawachi Province, was suspected of the assasination. Munefusa, who was residing in Iimori Castle, was in conflict against Katatsugu, who was residing in Takaya Castle. Munefusa supported Naganori's relative to be the head of the Yuza Family, while Katatsugu supported Naganori's brother. As Miyoshi Nagayoshi (1522-1564) was Naganori's son-in-law, he intervened and arranged for Munefusa's son to marry Katatsugui's daughter. On February 21st, 1552, Munefusa invited Katatsugu to Iimori Castle and killed him. He then entered Takaya Castle and killed those who had supported Katatsugu. The younger brother of Naganori was also killed by Nagayoshi. Munefusa, along with Tange Moritomo and Hashirii Morihide (?-1514), appointed Naganori's relative as Naganori's successor.
The Nojiri Family, who was a local powerful samurai in northern Kawachi, was also purged along with the Kayafuri Family. Munefusa adopted his son into the Nojiri Family to take over the Family, and gave the son the name Nojiri Mangoro. After Munefusa purged his enemies in Kawachi Province, Munefusa reached out for Yamato Province. He came into conflict against Takayama Hiroyori (1517-1553), who was based in Takayama Castle in Soejimo County, Yamato Province. Munefusa forced Hiroyori to commit suicide at Takaya Castle in May, 1553. In the same year, when the 13th Shogun of the Muromachi Shogunate, Ashikaga Yoshiteru (1536-1565), fought against Nagayoshi, Munefusa went to reinforce the Miyoshi side together with Tange Moritomo. This time, Munefusa didn't mind being the enemy of the shogunate.
The 19 samurai who built the Thirteen Buddhas Stone Monument counted on Buddhism, facing the law of the jungle. It is unknown how many of them survived after Munefusa was driven out of Iimori Castle by Nagayoshi on May 27th, 1560. Munefusa survived but never returned to Iimori Castle. On December 25th, 1577, Munefusa's tea ceremony goods were shown in the tea ceremony gathering held by Tsuda Sokyu (?-1591), one of the 3 great masters of tea ceremony.
Address: 31-6 Uchiage Motomachi, Neyagawa, Osaka 572-0858
Phone: 072-823-1271
Iimori Castle Ruins
Address: 2377 Hojo, Daito, Osaka 574-0011
Phone: 072-870-9105
Takaya Castle Ruins
Address: 5 Chome-6-7 Furuichi, Habikino, Osaka 583-0852
Remains of Takayama-jo Castle
Address: 4737 Takayamacho, Ikoma, Nara 630-0101
Saturday, July 26, 2025
Virtual North Kawachi 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #28 Taisho-ji Temple
It is unknown when Sarara-dera Temple was founded as a county Buddhist Temple of Sarara County, Settsu Province. Sarara County is listed in the Wamyo Ruijusho, namely Japanese Names for Things Classified and Annotated, which was a Japanese dictionary compiled in 938, and which listed Japanese place names from south to north.
The excavation and exploration of the temple site suggest it was founded in the latter half of the 7th century. The same model tiles were used for Sarara-dera Temple and Shoho-ji Temple.
Taisho-ji Temple was founded in 1174, when a disciple of Honen (1133-1212) visited the area and transferred a Shinto nun who worshipped Tsuhoko Shire (today's Shinobu-ga-oka Shrine) to a Buddhist nun. The disciple was given a hermitage nearby and he named it Sarara-dera after Sarara-dera Temple, which could have been abolished before 1174. Taisho-ji and Kensho-ji Temples argued with each other over which was the successor of Sasara-dera Temple, and Tsisho-ji Temple won. Taisho-ji Temple belongs to Pure land Buddhism and its main deity is Amitabha.
It is unknown when Kensho-ji Temple was founded next to Taisho-ji Temple. Kensho-ji Temple's main deity was the wooden image of Arya Avalokitesvara, who is the human-figure prototype of the other 6 metamorphoses. The image is supposed to have been made in the Heian Period (794-1185).
It is unknown when Kensho-ji Temple became Kannon-do Hall of Taisho-ji Temple.
Saiho-ji Temple has the stone statue of Cintamanicakra, who usually has 6 arms and holds chintamani (a wish-fulfilling jewel) in one of the six. As the statue was made in 1738, North Kawachi 33 Kannon Pilgrimage was organized before the year. Some argue it was organized before 1654.
Even if the foundation date of the pilgrimage was identified, Kensho-ji Temple could have been abolished after the organization of the pilgrimage. Its membership could have been transferred to Taisho-ji Temple, with its record lost in the 1885 Yodo River Deluge.
Address: 2 Chome-7-33 Okayama, Shijonawate, Osaka 575-0002
Phone: 072-877-2563
Taisho-ji Temple Kannon-do Hall (Kensho-ji Temple Site)
Address: 2 Chome-7 Okayama, Shijonawate, Osaka 575-0002
Sarara-dera Temple Site
Address: 4 Chome-10-8 Okayama, Shijonawate, Osaka 575-0002
Ex-Shoho-ji Temple Site
Address: 396 Kiyotaki, Shijonawate, Osaka 575-0063
Shinobu-ga-oka Shrine
Address: 2 Chome−7−12, Okayama, Shijonawate, Osaka 575-0002
Phone: 072-877-1850
Friday, July 25, 2025
Virtual North Kawachi 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #27 Sairen-ji Temple
It is unknown when Sainen-ji Temple was founded. The oldest stone monument of the temple is dated 1680's.
Hachikazuki is a narrative literature set in the area around Sainen-ji Temple and is about a maiden of noble birth who wears a bowl on her head and marries a prince. Hachikazuki was recorded in a mid-Edo collection of 23 stories, which was compiled by Shibukawa Kiyoemon sometime between 1661 and 1672, and which was titled Otogi Bunko or Otogi-zoshi. So, the temple could have been founded before the 1660's.
Address: 1 Chome-10-2 Neya, Neyagawa, Osaka 572-0801
Phone: 072-821-4892
Thursday, July 24, 2025
Virtual North Kawachi 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #26 Honsen-ji Temple
Honsen-ji Temple was founded in 1468 by Juntetsu Daitoku, which sounds like a posthumous name.
In 1467, the Onin War broke out. The Muromachi Shogunate power was divided into 2; the East Force and the West Force. The East Force was commanded by Hosokawa Katsumoto (1467-1477), and the West Force was led by Ouchi Masahiro (1446-1495). The war lasted for a decade and the northern half of Kyoto was burned to the ground. Manorialism collapsed and the aristocrats fell into financial hardship. Daitoku had a good enough reason to rely on Buddhism. It is unknown which Buddhism sect or school the temple originally belonged to.
Ryonin (1072–1132), a Tiantai monk, wrote a commentary on rituals and hymns in practice at the time, and founded the school in 1117. After Ryochin, the 6th head priest of Dainenbutsu-ji Temple, died in 1182, there was no suitable successor and the tradition of Yuzunenbutsu was interrupted for 139 years until 1321. It was restored by the 7th priest, Homyo. Homyo is said to have received back the sect's treasures that had been entrusted to Iwashimizu Hachiman-gu Shrine and established the Rokubetsuji System.
The Rokubetsuji temples are Shimobetsuji temples centered on Homyo-ji Temple in Wakae Village, Wakae County, Kawachi Province; Yaobetsuji centered on Ryomyo-ji Temple (which was abolished after 1689) in Hirano Manor, Sumiyoshi County, Settsu Province (today's Hirano Baba, Hirano Ward, Osaka, 547-0048; Ten-Village-betsuji centered on Raigoji Temple in Tannan Village, Tannan County, Kawachi Province; Nishigoribetsuji centered on Gokuraku-ji Temple in Furuno Village, Nishigori County, Kawachi Province; Ishikawabetsuji centered on Dainen-ji Temple in Daigatsuka Village, Ishikawa County, Kawachi Province; and Takayasubetsuji centered on Takayasu-dera Temple (which was abolished after 1677) in Takayasu County, Kawachi Province. The head priest of Dainenbutsu-ji Temple is selected by drawing lots based on these Rokubetsuji Temples.
Takayasu-dera Temple was founded by Homyo in 1325. It followed the "hikiji" system. A layperson would take on a Buddhist name and become the head priest, and his home would be the temple's address. The address would change every time the head priest was replaced. The head priest was decided by lot. As of 1677, Takayasubetsuji had 19 households as its members and was located in Mizukoshi Village, Takayasu County, Kawachi Province, somewhere around today's Mizukoshi, Yao, Osaka 581-0856.
In 1649, when Seiun was the 41st head priest of Dainenbutsu-ji Temple, Yaobetsuji, Ishikawabetsuji, and Takayasubetsuji conspired with Ohara-Nan-bo Temple, a branch of Jorenge-in Temple, which itself was a branch of Raigo-in Temple in Ohara, Kyoto, claiming that Dainenbutsu-ji Temple was a branch of Ohara-Nan-bo Temple. Seiun died soon when he was busy dealing with the trouble. Then, Shimobetsuji, Ten-Village-betsuji, and Nishigoribetsuji chose Sugon as the 42nd head priest of Dainenbutsu-ji Temple, ignoring other betsuji who formed the Ohara-Nan-bo faction, and the faction took away the sacred treasures and exiled Sugon.
Sugon filed a lawsuit against Ohara-Nan-bo Temple to the shogunate's Magistrate of Temples and Shrines in 1653.
On August 6th, 1661, the magistrate ruled that the Yuzunembutsu School was separate from the Tiantai Sect, and that Dainembutsu-ji Temple was not a branch of Ohara-Nan-bo Temple.
Yaobetsuji and Takayasubetsuji could have left Yuzunenbutsu School after the trouble.
The temple's main deity, the images of Eleven Heavenly Buddhas, was given in 1773 by Priest Gyokai, the 49th priest of Dainenbutsu-ji Temple, which is the head temple of Yuzu Nembutsu School of Pure Land Buddhism.
As the influence or power of the school shrank in the 17th century, the headquarters tried to take better care of their branches by presenting the images of Eleven Heavenly Buddhas.
Address: 2 Chome-11-22 Nasuzukuri, Hirakata, Osaka 573-0071
Phone: 072-854-1131
Dainenbutsu-ji Temple
Address: 1 Chome-7-26 Hirano Uemachi, Hirano Ward, Osaka, 547-0045
Phone: 06-6791-0026
Homyo-ji Temple
Address: 3 Chome-16-28 Fukaeminami, Higashinari Ward, Osaka, 537-0002
Phone: 06-6971-0523
Raigo-ji Temple
Address: 3 Chome-1-22 Tannan, Matsubara, Osaka 580-0013
Phone: 072-332-8971
Gokuraku-ji Temple
Address: 12-1 Furunocho, Kawachinagano, Osaka 586-0017
Phone: 0721-52-2119
Dainen-ji Temple
Address: 296 Daigatsuka, Kanan, Minamikawachi District, Osaka 585-0003
Phone: 0721-93-2314
Jorenge-in Temple
Address: 407 Ohararaikoincho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, 601-1242
Phone: 075-744-2408
Raigo-in Temple
Address: 537 Ohararaikoincho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, 601-1242
Phone: 075-744-2161
Wednesday, July 23, 2025
Virtual North Kawachi 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #25 Kinryu-ji Temple
Kinryu-ji Temple was founded in 958 as a branch of Shokuson-ji Temple.
Nun Antei revived the temple in 1573.
After the death of Miyoshi Nagayoshi (1522-1564), the Miyoshi Regime, which was the de facto central government at the time, split into 3 groups and suffered from internal conflicts. Nagayoshi’s nephew, Yoshitsugu (1549-1573), succeeded to the head of the Miyoshi Clan just before the death of Nagayoshi, who was already unreliable at the time. Yoshitsugu lagged behind the other 2 groups, and invited Oda Nobunaga (1534-1582) to the central government in 1568. Yoshitsugu and Nobunaga fought in cooperation for a while, but they broke up in 1571. On November 13th, 1573, Yoshitsugu’s base, Wakae Castle in Kawachi Province, fell, he killed his wife and son, charged his enemy, and cut his stomach in cross.
Nun Antei could have had something to do with Nagayoshi's family. One of the probabilities is that Antei was Yoshitsugu's daughter, who had married into the Kaji Family. As Yoshitsugu fought against Oda Nobunaga (1534-1582), the then hegemon of Japan, the Kaji Family could have divorced her, afraid of their future troubles. Antei means Peaceful Chastity.
After her, the temple was a convent for 14 generations, but the temple is run by a male priest today.
Address: 36-19 Nasuzukuri Kitamachi, Hirakata, Osaka 573-0083
Phone: 072-854-5819
Shakuson-ji Temple
Address: 1-10 Shakusonjichō, Hirakata, Osaka 573-0081
Phone: 072-854-3521
Tuesday, July 22, 2025
Virtual North Kawachi 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #24 Korin-ji Temple
It is unknown when Korin-ji Temple was founded. Its precincts have a megalith.
Kukai (774-835) practiced religious austerities in the Lion Cave of Shishikutsu-ji Temple. He recognized where Korin-ji Temple is located to be a holy place sometime between 810 and 823.
Korin-ji Temple was first documented as Hoshino Practice Hall in 1637, when Ichihashi Nagamasa (1575-1648) carried out the land survey. He had been given certain territory in Kawachi Province in 1620. In 1661, the hall was changed into a Buddhist temple and was named Korin-ji.
Address: 1 Chome-26-7 Hoshida, Katano, Osaka 576-0016
Phone: 072-891-1745
Monday, July 21, 2025
Virtual North Kawachi 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #23 Jiko-ji Temple
It is unknown when Jiko-ji Temple was founded. According to an inscription on the back of Priest Tan’gyoku's Buddhist memorial tablet written in 1806 by the 18th priest, Rinku, the temple originally belonged to Tiantai Sect, but it became uninhabited during the wars between 1596 and 1615, and Tan’gyoku revived it as a training center for Yuzu Nembutsu School of Pure Land Buddhism .
When the temple was revived, its main hall and other buildings had the thatched roofs. As they were badly damaged, they were renovated with funds raised by the 15th priest, Rinku, sometime between 1751 and 1764.
In 1803, the temple was documented as a branch of Raikoj-i Temple. It had converted to the Seizan Pure land Buddhism, which is headquartered in Komyo-ji Temple, before. Priest Tekku entered Jiko-ji Temple in 1846, became the 61st head priest of Komyo-ji Temple in 1871. He became the CEO of Pure Land Buddhism in 1873, and entered Chion-in Temple in Kyoto.
The Precincts of Jiko-ji Temple have the Thirteen Buddhas stone monument, which was made in 1607, and which is the only Thirteen Buddhas in Katano City. The monument was carved into a boat-shaped granite stone in relief, with a canopy decorated above and a lotus-petal base below supporting the Thirteen Buddhas.
The Thirteen Buddhas judge the dead certain days or years after their death: Acala after 7 days, Sakyamuni after 14 days, Manjushri after 21 days, Samantabhadra after 28 days, Ksitigarbha after 35 days, Maitreya after 42 days, Bhaisajyaguru after 49 days, Avalokitesvara after 100 days, Mahasthamaprapta after 1 year, Amitabha after 2 years, Akshobhya after 6 years, Vairocana after 12 years, and Akasagarbha after 32 years. Japanese tradition to hold Buddhist memorial services 7 days, 2 years, and 6 years after death comes from the belief.
The Thirteen Buddhas are carved on the monument as follows: on the top row; Akasagarbha (32 years): on the second row from the right; Vairocana (12 years), Akshobhya (6 years), and Amitabha (2 years): on the third row from the right; Bhaisajyaguru (49 days), Avalokitesvara (100 days), Mahasthamaprapta (1 year): on the fourth row from the right; Maitreya (42 days), Ksitigarbha (35 days), Samantabhadra (28 days): on the fifth row from the right; Acala (7 days), Shakamuni (14 days), Manjusri (21 days).
Address: 3 Chome 1-1, Katano, Osaka 576-0016
Phone: 072-893-0027
Raiko-ji Temple
Address: 7 Chome-11-17 Sata Nakamachi, Moriguchi, Osaka 570-0002
Phone: 06-6901-0336
Komyo-ji Temple
Address: Saijonouchi 26-1 Ao, Nagaokakyo, Kyoto 617-0811
Phone: 075-955-0002
Chion-in Temple
Address: 400 Rinkacho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-8686
Phone: 075-531-2111
Sunday, July 20, 2025
Virtual North Kawachi 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #22 Komyo-ji Temple
It is unknown when Komyo-ji Temple was founded at the foot of Hoshida-Myoken-gu Shrine.
Kukai (774-835) practiced religious austerities in the Lion Cave of Shishikutsu-ji Temple. He recognized where Hoshida-Myoken-gu Shrine is located to be a holy place sometime between 810 and 823. He or his successors founded Shinzen-ji Temple, which belonged to the Shingon Sect, there. The temple was first documented in 1106. Komyo-ji Temple, which belongs to Shingon Sect, could have been founded as one of its branches. In 1423, when Wada Yasunao (1402-?) ruled the territory of Shinzen-ji Temple, he seemed to have recognized the temple as a shinto shrine. The Wada Family ruled the territory, which was called Hoshida Manor, for 3 generations: Yasunao, Yasumichi, and Yasukuni. Komyo-ji Temple was first documented in 1594.
Address: 2 Chome-13-18 Hoshida, Katano, Osaka 576-0016
Phone: 072-891-2097
Hoshidamyokengu
Address: 9 Chome-60-1 Hoshida, Katano, Osaka 576-0016
Phone: 072-891-2003