Virtual North Settsu 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #19 Koho-ji Temple

     It is unknown when Koho-ji Temple was founded on the top of Mount Machikane (Machikaneyamacho, Toyonaka, Osaka 560-0043).  The temple is said to have been founded by Gyoki (668-749).  The temple was involved in battles in 1579, when Oda Nobunaga (1534-1582) attacked Araki Murashige (1535-1586), who was based in Arioka Castle.  In the latter half of November, 1579, Nobunaga advanced his headquarters to the site of Ikeda Castle.  Koho-ji Temple could have been damaged in the process, and was moved to its present place.  The temple was revived by Priest Seiben in 1598, when Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1537-1598), who had succeeded Nobunaga, died.  It isn't recorded whether Seiben had something to do with Hideyosi or not.

     For your information, before Arioka Castle was seized on November 19th, Murashige fled from the castle with his tea ceremony goods on September 2nd.  After Arioka Castle was seized, Murashige's kin, 33 women and 3 men, were beheaded. 122 women and children of the castle were crucified.  388 females and 124 males were forced into 4 houses, which were set on fire.

     Seiben literally means Quietly to Argue.

Address: 1 Chome-1-9 Ayaha, Ikeda, Osaka 563-0051

Phone: 072-751-4240

Arioka Castle Ruins

Address: 1 Chome-12 Itami, Hyogo 664-0846

Phone: 072-784-8090

Ikeda Castle Ruins

Address: 3-19 Shiroyamacho, Ikeda, Osaka 563-0052

Phone: 072-753-2767