Virtual Nada 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #20 Shokaku-in Temple

 

     Shokaku-in Temple is said to be one of the original 36 sub-temples of Koya-dera Temple.

     Koya-ike Pond is an artificial reservoir constructed under the initiative of Gyoki (668-749), a Buddhist monk, by making use of the Koyaike Subsidence Zone or Koyaike Graben Zone.  The pond played a role in irrigation and flood control.  According to the Gyoki Chronicles, compiled about 400 years after Gyoki's death, he built the Kami-ike and Shimo-ike Ponds in ​​Yamamoto Village, Kawabe County, Settsu Province, in 741.  At the beginning of the Edo Period (1603-1867), the Shimo-ike Pond was filled in, and the Kami-ike Pond came to be called Koya-o-ike or just Koya-ike.  In the 1970's, one-third of the remaining pond was also filled in.  Currently, only a portion of the pond remains as Koya-ike Pond.  Koyaike Park has been developed, which is open to the public.  The 28.5 hectare Koyaike Park contains two ponds: a 12.5 hectare natural pond on the north side and a 4.5 hectare reservoir, which serves as a water source for the water purification plant, on the south side.

     The origin of Kon'yo-ji Temple dates back to 731, when Gyoki built the Koya-ike Pond.  He established the Koya Sein, a kind of fuseya, for the purpose of providing relief to the poor.  In 733, it became a Buddhist temple at the request of the 45th Emperor Shomu (701-756).  36 sub-temples were founded.  Its surrounding area was cultivated and turned into a manor.  In 1579, the temple was burned down during the battle between Araki Murashige(1535-1586), who was based in Arioka Castle, and Oda Nobunaga (1534-1582).  It was later rebuilt, and, in the Edo Period, it had 9 sub-temples.

Shokaku-in Temple is said to be one of the original 36 sub-temples.  Kon'ya-dera, which is pronounced Kon'yo-ji today, still has 4 sub-temples:  Henjo-in, the 11th temple of the Kawabe Saigoku 33 Kannon Pilgrimage; Ichijo-in Temple, the 12th temple of the Kawabe Saigoku 33 Kannon Pilgrimage; Joju-in Temple, the 13th temple of the Kawabe Saigoku 33 Kannon Pilgrimage; as well as Shogaku-in Temple, the 14th temple of the Kawabe Saigoku 33 Kannon Pilgrimage.

Address: 1 Chome-103 Teramoto, Itami, Hyogo 664-0026

Phone: 072-781-8576

Kon'yo-ji Temple

Address: 2 Chome-169 Teramoto, Itami, Hyogo 664-0026

Phone: 072-781-6015

Ichijo-in Temple

Address: 2 Chome-159 Teramoto, Itami, Hyogo 664-0026

Phone: 072-779-8621