Trees In the Town

 

Virtual Sakai 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #2 Chizen-ji Temple

 

     Chizen-ji Temple claims to belong to the Tendai-Shinsei Sect, which belongs to Tiantai Denomination at large.

     Priest Shinsei (1443-1495) was born in Ichishi County, Ise Province, in 1443.  After entering a local temple and becoming a monk, he entered Mount Hiei at the age of 19, where he devoted himself to training and study for over 20 years, never leaving the mountain.

     While on Mount Hiei, Shinsei gradually distinguished himself, reaching the 8th-highest rank.  In 1483, he abandoned fame and fortune, and retired to Seiryu-ji Temple in Kurodani, which is located at the very back of Mount Hiei.  2 years later, in 1485, Shinsei finally left the mountain, and in December of that year, he lectured at the Imperial Court on Ojoyoshu, or the Essentials of Rebirth in the Pure Land, of Genshin (942-1017).  Shinsei was highly acclaimed as a master of preaching, and his lectures at the Imperial Court were attended by many members of the Royal Family and nobles, as evidenced by the diaries of nobles of the time.  Shinsei spent the last 10 years of his life working to restore Saikyo-ji Temple and spread the teachings, and died in Iga Province in 1495 while traveling.

     While Tiantai temples such as Enryaku-ji and Onjo-ji Temples are strongly influenced by esoteric Buddhism, Saikyo-ji Temple has a strong Pure Land influence, with Amida Buddha as its main deity and emphasis on nianfo, to chant the name of Amida Buddha.  Shinsei's philosophy is notable for its emphasis on both precepts and nianfo, which differs from the teachings of Honen (1133-1212) and Shinran (1173-1263), both of which give their exclusive attention to nianfo.

     Anyway, it is unknown whether Chizen-ji Temple was founded before the organization of Tendai-Shinsei Sect and transferred to the sect later, or was originally founded as its member temple.

     The temple's grave yard has the grave of Suwa Tadamasa (1697-1768), a doctor, and Tanaka Keitei (1736-1812), a calligrapher. 

Address: 5 Chome-1-30 Ebisunochohigashi, Sakai Ward, Sakai, Osaka 590-0945

Phone: 072-233-7072

Seiryu-ji Temple

Address: 946 Yaseakimotocho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, 601-1252

Phone: 075-722-1300

Saikyo-ji Temple

Address: 5 Chome-13-1 Sakamoto, Otsu, Shiga 520-0113

Phone: 077-578-0013

Enryaku-ji Temple

Address: 4220 Sakamotohonmachi, Otsu, Shiga 520-0116

Phone: 077-578-0001

Onjo-ji Temple

Address: 246 Onjōjichō, Otsu, Shiga 520-0036

Phone: 077-522-2238

Sanuki no Suke’s Diary (15)

 

     When I arrived, I saw the Chancellor, the Minister of the Interior, and others.  They suggested the Emperor to summon Priest Kensen (1029-1113), the 41st head priest of Enryaku-ji Temple, saying, "Retired Emperor Shirakawa said, 'It would be appropriate for the Emperor to receive the precepts.'"  They made various preparations.  Since the dawn would break when the precepts were received, I told the Emperor, "I visited the Empress at the request of her, and she said this and that."

     The Emperor said weakly,

"The road is cramped, isn't it?"  He seemed worried.  The Chancellor also said, "I would like her to come and meet the Emperor."  I also thought, "I would like to have the Empress come to his side while she can, before things get too chaotic."

     When the Empress arrived at the palace, the Chancellor instructed, "It would be bad to have none by the Emperor’s side," and must have explained this to the Empress.  The Chancellor came back and said, "Just Suke should be by the side of the Emperor."  I came into the Emperor’s bedroom.  Fujiwara Moroko, the wife of the Minister of the Interior, was there.  The Chancellor and the Minister of the Interior were in a political rivalry against each other.  All the ministers, that is all the men, left through the sliding doors.  A four-foot folding screen was set up at the edge of the room.  Lamps were lit at the Emperor’s bedside, shining brightly, and I groveled beside the Emperor.  It was embarrassing, but I couldn't move away.  "The Empress has arrived," I told him, and he asked,

"How near?  Where?"

     I felt sad, thinking, "He couldn’t sense what’s happening around him at all."

     "She's by the screen," I replied.

"Which way?" he asked, and had the edge of the screen pulled up.

     The Empress then said, “Here I am.”

     "Maybe she has something to say," I thought, and I quietly moved on my knees to his feet.  As I moved away, the Empress climbed up to the bedside and spoke for a while.

     I heard the Chancellor's voice say, "This has taken quite a while.  It is about time to serve the Emperor some porridge."

     The Empress heard this and,

"Now, then, let me go home.  I will be back tomorrow night too," she said, and departed.

Trees In the Town

 

Virtual Sakai 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #1 Joraku-ji Temple

 

     Sakai Kitasho Manor was developed in the southern end of Enatsu Village, Sumiyoshi County, Settsu Province, in the Kamakura Period (1185-1333) and lasted through the Sengoku Period (1467-1568).

     In the late Heian Period(794-1185), a port developed on the coast facing Osaka Bay near the border between Settsu and Izumi Provinces.  The port came to be called Sakai-tsu, namely Border Port.  Markets were formed on both sides of a small alleyway that ran east-west roughly along the border.  Sakai Kitasho Manor was developed in the area north of the alleyway as Royal territory.  It was originally the property of Saishoko-in Temple, which used to be located in Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto.  The temple was founded in 1173 by Emperor Go-Shirakawa (1127-1192) at the request of his concubine, Taira Shigeko (1142-1176).  It was later ceded to Emperor Go-Toba (1127-1192), but was temporarily confiscated by the Kamakura Shogunate during the Jokyu War in 1221 and later donated to Cloistered Emperor Gotakakura (1179-1223).

     The manor was first documented in the Order for the Construction of the Nenbutsu-ji Temple Repository and Other Facilities, dated February 5th, 1234.  According to the document, the construction of a building in the Kitasho Manor was planned in 1214, and its framework-raising ceremony was held in April, 1215.  According to Saishoko-in Temple Manor's Inventory dated March, 1325, the original annual tax payments consisted of 360 litres of oil, 2 rolls of twill (1 for the Lotus Sutra Lecture in July and 1 for the monthly death anniversary in December), and 7 soldiers.  However, after the middle of the 13th century, the taxes became 1,000 coins.  The lord of the manor was Fujiwara Sadako (1196-1302), whose 2 grandsons and 2 great-grandsons became Emperors.  The manor was later passed down to the Daikakuji Line of the Royal Family.  On April 22nd, 1336, Emperor Godaigo (1288-1393), who belonged to the line, issued an Imperial decree to the chief priest of Sumiyoshi Shrine, confirming the priest's ownership of the manor.  The Southern Court also issued an Imperial edict, granting the Sumiyoshi Shrine Family the stewardship and local ownership of the manor.

     The hegemony of the Southern Court forces in southern Settsu Province and northern Izumi Province remained powerful until around the end of the 1360's.  After Southern Court commander-in-chief Kusunoki Masanori (1333-1389) defected to the Northern Court in 1369, the power of the Northern Court forces strengthened.  In May, 1373, the Retired Emperor Go-Kogon (1338-1374) of the Northern Court attempted to donate 3 years' worth of the taxes from Sakaiura Port in Izumi Province to the repair office of Todaiji Hachiman-gu Shrine.  The attempt was documented in the Retired Emperor Go-Kogon's Imperial Edict, dated May 9th, which is kept in Todaiji documents, but this did not go smoothly.  In June, 1376, the taxes from Sakaiura Port in Settsu Province were donated, and Todai-ji Temple dispatched a chief monk to the port to collect the taxes, according to the entry dated June 11th of the Records of Monk Sotetsu's Conducts.

     It is unknown when Tenjin-sha Shrine was invited to the manor.  It is also unknown when Joraku-ji Temple was founded as its shrine temple.  The temple might have been abolished after the Meiji Restoration Government issued the Gods and Buddhas Separation Order in 1868.

     In 1872, Tenjin-sha Shrine was renamed Sugawara Shrine.  The shrine claims it was founded in 997, less than 1 century after Sugawara Michizane (845-903).  After his death by misfortune, the Imperial Court was afraid of his curses and apotheosized him in Kitano-Tenman-gu Shrine in 947.  In 993, he was appointed as Prime Minister.  The invitation of the shrine in 997 seems a little bit too early.

Sugawara Shrine

Address: 2 Chome-1-38 Ebisunochohigashi, Sakai Ward, Sakai, Osaka 590-0945

Saoshoko-in Temple Site

Address: Shimoikedacho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0966

Phone: 072-232-2450

Todai-ji Temple

Address: 406-1 Zoshicho, Nara, 630-8587

Phone: 0742-22-5511

Trees In the Town

 

Sakai 33 Kannon Pilgrimage

 

     Sakai 33 Kannon Pilgrimage was organized by Priest Jotei in June, 1702.  In November in the same year the Sakai Administrator Office was reinstalled.

     In the Middle Ages, Sakai was governed autonomously by the Egoshu, a kind of a council.  Oda Nobunaga (1534-1582) brought Sakai under his control and appointed Matsui Tomoyasu as Sakai Mandokoro in 1570 in order to govern the important commercial and trade center.  Ishida Mitsunari (1560-1600) also served as Sakai Mandokoro under Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1537-1598).

     In 1600, Tokugawa Ieyasu (1543-1616) appointed Naruse Masanari (1567-1625), Yonetsu Masakatsu (?-1614), and Hosoi Masanari (?-1613) as Sakai Mandokoro.  In 1614, when the Siege of Osaka started, Sakai came under direct control of the Tokugawa Shogunate.

     Sakai was burned down in 1615 during the Siege of Osaka.  When it was reconstructed, Hasegawa Fujihiro (1567-1617), who also served as Nagasaki Magistrate, ordered Kazama Rokuemon to carry out the reconstruction and land rezoning.  In 1618, Sakai Magistrate was renamed Sakai Bugyo.

     The Sakai Magistrate's presence was significant.  For example, Kitami Katsutada (1568-1628) once served as the magistrate of Settsu, Kawachi, and Izumi Provinces at one time.  However, due to the concentration of the regional economy in Osaka and the decline of Sakai Port due to sediment accumulation around the port after the opening of the new waterway of Yamato River, the town's importance declined relatively.  As a result, the Sakai Administrator's status declined, and it was reduced to only having jurisdiction over criminal matters and some official affairs in the Shogunate's territories in Izumi and Kawachi Provinces.

     In February, 1696, the Sakai Administrator's Office was abolished, and Sakai came under the jurisdiction of the Osaka Town Administration.  Although the Sakai Administration was re-established in November, 1702, it remained under the command of the Osaka Town Administration and was reduced to the staff of 6 yoriki and 40 doshin.  In 1711, the old system of 10 yoriki and 50 doshin was restored.  In the first half of the 19th century, the Sakai Administrator's position became a stepping stone to that of the Osaka Town Administrator, with Yabe Sadanori (1789-1842), Atobe Yoshisuke (1799-1869), Kuze Hiromasa and others following this path.

     In August, 1867, one year before the end of the Tokugawa Shogunate, the Sakai Administrator's position was abolished again, and Sakai came under the jurisdiction of the Osaka Town Administration's Office.  However, shortly after the Meiji Restoration, the Osaka Court established a branch office on the site of the Sakai Administrator's Office, which was soon renamed the Sakai City Office.  Then, in June, 1868, when Sakai Prefecture was established by separating from Osaka Prefecture, the Sakai City Office became the Sakai Prefectural Office.

     In February, 1881, Sakai Prefecture was abolished, and Sakai was again incorporated into Osaka Prefecture.  Sakai City was established in 1898 and Sakai City Hall remained located on the former site of the Sakai Administrator's Office.  It was relocated to Sakai Higashi, its present place, in 1944.

     Sakai had its ups and downs.  It is unknown why Sakai Administratorship was reinstalled in 1702, and it is also unknown if the installation had something to do with the organization of the Sakai 33 Kannon Pilgrimage in the same year, but some Sakai people might have had an idea of MSGA (MSaGA?), to Make Sakai Great Again, or something like that.

Trees In the Town

 

Virtual Tadasho Bando 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #6 and #7 Tentaku-ji Temple

 

     Tentaku-ji Temple is the #17 member temple of the Upper Tada Manor 33 Kannon Pilgrimage, and has the Buddhist images inscribed Bando 6-ban and Bando 7-ban.  There should be or at least should have been the Tadasho Bando 33 Kannon Pilgrimage, but its history and the whereabouts of other member temples are totally unknown.

     The central part of Inagawa-cho used to be called Yanai-zu, which is called Ki-zu (literally Wood Port) today, and which might have been a point to gather wood and to send them out through the river.  Yanaizu-in Temple was founded by Gyoki(668-749) as one of the 49 temples founded by him in Yamato, Kawachi, and Izumi Provinces.  Gyoki (668-749) helped build Todai-ji Temple.  Tentaku-ji Temple is said to have succeeded Yanaizu-in Temple.  The temple's precincts have a stone garden lantern dated 1403, one year before the foundation of Gozu-Tenno-sha Shrine nearby.  Gozu was invited from Hiromine Shrine.

     Kizu Village was first documented in 1368 as it "donated" money to Tada-in Temple.

     Gozu chose to be born as a son of Mudang as a part of the syncretism of Buddhism. The son had a bull head, and grew up to find no bride to get married with. One day, he set out on a journey to find a bride. In brief, at last, he got married to a daughter of Naga, who lived in the ocean. Gozu might have had the power to control water as a natural process.  Gozu was first enshrined at Hiromine Shrine in today’s Himeji. 

     Anyway, Kizu Village became religious enough, or rich enough, to found a shrine and build garden lanterns for a temple.  That is, the people there were, at least partially, released from the exploitation of central powerful nobles and samurai.

     Another possibility on the Tadasho Bando 33 Kannon Pilgrimage is that Tentaku-ji Temple had all the 33 Kannon images from #1 to #33.

Address: Teragaichi-8 Kizu, Inagawa, Kawabe District, Hyogo 666-0225

Phone: 072-768-0200

Hiromine Shrine

Address: 52 Hiromineyama, Himeji, Hyogo 670-0891

Phone: 079-288-4777

Sanuki no Suke’s Diary (14)

 

     As usual, the Empress sent me a messenger.

"We've heard that the Emperor is far too ill for you to leave him.   We’ve looked for others to inform us, but we can't think of any other one.  So, we are asking you.  Could you please come to our place immediately?  The Empress is worried that roads around the Imperial Palace are congested."

     How could I say I couldn't come?

"I understand," I replied,

and the messenger said, "In that case, come now," so I went to the Empress's Residence.

     As usual, the Empress evaded talking directly to me.  As one of her ladies-in-waiting is a relative of mine, the Empress had her ask me about the Emperor's condition.  I was to tell her exactly what the Emperor was like, but I was afraid that I would be rumored that I am talking too much about irresponsible things like this and that.  That would be a nuisance.  However, I felt it would be unfair to not say anything when she had taken the trouble to call me.  I just replied, "Please come and visit the Emperor in person.  He looks like he is in great pain."  The lady-in-waiting replied, "In that case, we will wait until there is a time when it is easier for cars to pass through," and immediately sent me back to the Imperial Palace.

Trees In the Town

 

Virtual Kawabe 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #33 Kongo-in Temple

 

     Zenraku-ji Temple was founded in 904 by Priest Rigen of Daigo-ji Temple in Yamashiro Province with Bhaisajyaguru as its main deity.  Kongo-in Temple was originally a branch of Zenraku-ji Temple, which was later abandoned due to war.

     In 1150, Minamoto Tametomo (1139-1170) stayed at Kongo-in Temple.  He had a miraculous dream about Gozu and revived the temple.

     The Japanese word Gion comes from Jetavana, which was one of the 5 most famous Buddhist monasteries or viharas in India. The five are believed to have already existed while the Buddha still lived. Gion Shrine enshrines the guardian god of Jetavana, who was called Gozu in Japan. Gozu chose to be born as a son of Mudang as a part of the syncretism of Buddhism. The son had a bull head, and grew up to find no bride to get married with. One day, he set out on a journey to find a bride. In brief, at last, he got married to a daughter of Naga, who lived in the ocean. Gozu might have had the power to control water as a natural process.

     Gozu was first enshrined at Hiromine Shrine in today’s Himeji. He was invited to today’s Kyoto when the Kamo River flooded and plague spread, they wished for the healing and anti-flood power of Gozu. He was made the main deity of Gion Shrine, or Yasaka Shrine today, in Kyoto.  He was further invited to many parts of Japan, as we had many floods and epidemics, and he is enshrined in more than 2,300 shrines.

     In 1579, the temple was burned down when Araki Murashige (1535-1586) fought against Oda Nobunaga (1534-1582).  Between 1592 and 1596, Priest Chosho of Ganjoju-ji Temple, which is now Anraku-in Temple, in Senzo Village entered the temple and revived it.  In 1594, the temple was exempted from paying taxes by Katagiri Katsumoto (1556-1615) as the Magistrate of Settsu Province.  In 1685, Konoe Motohiro (1648-1722) revived the temple according to the Settsu Meisho Zue, or the Illustrated Guide to Famous Places in Settsu, which was first published in 1796.

     For your information, the Konoe Family had their fief in Uji County, Yamashiro Province.  In 1661, due to the construction of Manpuku-ji Temple, Gokasho Village was confiscated by the Tokugawa Shogunate, and, in exchange, the family was given equivalent land in Itami Village, Kawabe County, Settsu Province.

     1702, the fire broke out in Nakashoji Village, spread north, and reached around today's Kitahonmachi Park, burning down 439 houses.  The temple's Yakuimon Gate was burned down but was later rebuilt.

     In 1900, the main hall burned down.

     The Yakuimon Style gates were first constructed in the late Kamakura Period (1185-1333) or early Muromachi Period (1336-1573). They were initially used in samurai residences and noble residences, but eventually came to be used in temples and shrines as well.  2 supporting pillars are installed behind the 2 main pillars to distribute the load and ensure structural stability. They generally have double swing doors.

     The current main hall is the former Jibutsu-do hall.

     A Jibutsu-do hall is where Buddhist images and memorial tablets that are worshipped on a daily basis are placed.

Address: 2 Chome-2-7 Miyanomae, Itami, Hyogo 664-0895

Phone: 072-782-1434

Daigo-ji Temple

Address: 22 Daigohigashiojicho, Fushimi Ward, Kyoto, 601-1325

Phone: 075-571-0002

Anraku-in Temple

Address: 3 Chome-22 Senzo, Itami, Hyogo 664-0898

Phone: 072-777-5353

Trees In the Town

 

Virtual Kawabe 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #32 Komyo-ji Temple

 

     Komyo-ji Temple was founded in the shrine town of Inano Shrine in 1571, and its buildings were completed in 1574.

     The temple's graveyard has the grave of Ikeda Sotan (1636-1693), a haiku poet.  He was born in Kyoto.  When he visited Itami in 1674, he was utterly captivated by the sake of Itami and settled there.  The stone monument engraved with his haiku poem is located in Hitotsubashi Park:

I stepped on a fallen flower.

If the flower feels frustrated,

It should bloom again.

Address: 2 Chome-5-8 Miyanomae, Itami, Hyogo 664-0895

Phone: 072-782-3375

Hitotsubashi Park

Address: 2 Chome-1 Funahara, Itami, Hyogo 664-0896

Inano Shrine

Address: 3 Chome-6-1 Miyanomae, Itami, Hyogo 664-0895

Phone: 072-782-2704

Trees In the Town

 

Virtual Kawabe 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #31 Dairen-ji Temple

 

     Dairen-ji Temple was founded in 1587 by Priest Kyunen.

     In 1579, Oda Nobunaga (1534-1582) attacked Araki Murashige (1535-1586), who was based in Arioka Castle, which was seized on November 19th.  Ikeda Tsuneoki (1536-1584) became the lord of the castle and changed its name to Itami Castle.  In 1583, the castle was abolished, but its castle town survived with the sake brewing industry and the transportation business.  Dairen-ji Temple was founded when Itami Town underwent the transformation.

     In 1699, a big fire broke out in Itami Town.  700 houses, 16 breweries, and 6 temples including Dairen-ji Temple were burned down.  The temple was revived later, and its main hall was rebuilt in 1877 again.  In the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake, the main hall leaned but was restored.  The temple gate was destroyed and was rebuilt in 1997 into a concrete building.

     The Kawabe 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #29, #30. and #31 concentrate in Itami Town.  They are collectively called Sangenji, or Three Temples.  In the south of them, there is Sangenjimae Square.

Address: 2 Chome-8-24 Central, Itami, Hyogo 664-0851

Phone: 072-772-2860

Sangenjimae Square

Address: 2 Chome-4-7 Central, Itami, Hyogo 664-0851

Trees In the Town

 

Virtual Kawabe 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #30 Shozen-ji Temple

 

     Some say Shozen-ji Temple was founded in Nakashoji Village, Kawabe County, Settsu Province, in 1589.  Others say it was founded by Priest Shin'yo, who died 1643, in 1633.  Some others say Shin'yo died in 1633.  So, the foundation of the temple is a mystery.

     The temple burned down in fire in 1702 and was rebuilt in 1724.  In 1702, the fire broke out in Nakashoji Village, spread north, and reached around today's Kitahonmachi Park, burning down 439 houses.

     The temple gate is supposed to date back to the 17th century, so it could have been built when the temple was founded and might have survived the fire.  The gate employs Yakui-mon Style.  The Yakuimon Style gates were first constructed in the late Kamakura Period (1185-1333) or early Muromachi Period (1336-1573). They were initially used in samurai residences and noble residences, but eventually came to be used in temples and shrines as well.  2 supporting pillars are installed behind the 2 main pillars to distribute the load and ensure structural stability. They generally have double swing doors.

     The temple’s main deity is the Amidabha triad standing statue with the images of Arya Avalokitesvara, who is the human-figure prototype of the other 6 metamorphoses, and Mahasthamaprapta on right and left.  The statue is supposed to have been made in the middle of the Edo Period (1603-1867), so it could have been made after the fire.

     After the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake, the main hall was rebuilt in 1996 as a two-story  reinforced concrete building.

Address: 2 Chome-8-30 Central, Itami, Hyogo 664-0851

Phone: 072-775-0221

Kitahonmachi Park

Address: 1 Chome Kitahonmachi, Itami, Hyogo 664-0836

Sanuki no Suke’s Diary (13)

 

     When dawn broke, the Minister of Interior arrived.  It seemed as though an important matter was about to take place on Retired Emperor Shirakawa's behalf.  Since it would be considered inappropriate for me to be nearby, I retreated and went to sleep.  The minister recounted the details.  "Perhaps it was about the abdication," I surmised.  After finishing his recounting, the minister approached where I was lying down and,

"Go to his side," he said, before leaving.

     The high priests of Enryaku-ji Temple had been summoned since yesterday, and the 12 of them were there, chanting incantations with loud voices, which was quite an impressive sight.  Hitting upon no better way, the Emperor summoned the Minister of the Interior and said, "Tell the Retired Emperor to summon Priest Gyoson (1055-1135), as he had asked me to summon the priest when I was ill last year."  Gyoson wasted no time and immediately arrived.  The Emperor summoned him to his sickbed and had him offer prayers.  The priests of Mii-dera Temple always venerate the Sutra of the Thousand Arms, so Gyoson recited it with great reverence.  Hearing him gently recite the phrase, "May your troubles be eliminated and your life be lengthened," is truly reassuring.  Perhaps because so many virtuous priests had come to pray for the Emperor, spirits appeared, determined not to be outdone, and loudly introducing themselves as Priest Ryumei (1019-1104) and Monk Raigo (1002-1084), saying,

"After your visit last year, we have longed to see you again, but you are not benevolent enough to visit us, so we are warning you."  The Emperor replied,

"If my health had been good these past two or three years, I would have gone on a royal visit.  But I have not been able to even go to nearby places.  If I am cured of this illness, I will definitely make it happen within the year."

     And from this point on, the Emperor looked suffering more and more.

Trees In the Town

Virtual Kawabe 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #29 Hogan-ji Temple

 

     In 731, when Gyoki (668-749) 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,Koya-dera 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.  Hogan-ji Temple could have been one of the original 36 sub-temples.

     Hogan-ji Temple was moved to its present location by Priest Saiyo (?-1572) in 1522.

     Hosokawa Takakuni (1484-1531) replaced Ashikaga Yoshitane (1466-1523) with the son of Ashikaga Yoshizumi (1480-1511), Yoshiharu (1511-1550), in 1521.  Takakuni was in his heyday.

     After the relocation, the temple burned down 2 times.  In 1688, the 8th priest, Kan'yo, rebuilt its buildings.  The buildings stood for about 3 centuries until 1995, when the Great Hanshin Earthquake broke out.  Its new buildings' construction was finished in May, 1998, and their dedication ceremony was held on November 8th in the same year.

     The big camphor tree in the precincts is 28 meters tall.  Its trunk is about 6 meters in diameter.  Its branches spread 17 meters in east, 12.5 meters in west, 15 meters in north, and 16 meters in south.  It is presumed to have lived about 500 years.  That means the tree was born before Hogan-ji Temple moved to its present location.

     When Kaji Kyokufu (1799-1874) wrote Arioka Ko-zokugo, or the Arioka Reminiscences, in 1865, he described the tree as an unusually big tree.

Address: 2 Chome-6-16 Central, Itami, Hyogo 664-0851

Phone: 072-772-2144

Trees In the Town

Virtual Kawabe 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #28 Bokusen-ji Temple

 

     Minamoto Mitsunaka (912-997) founded a Buddhist temple in Arioka Manor, Kawabe County, Settsu Province.  It is uncertain if its original name was Bokusen-ji.  Its original location is also uncertain.  The precincts became part of Arioka Castle Town.  Araki Murashige (1535-1586) became the lord of the castle in 1574.  When the castle was attacked by Oda Nobunaga (1534-1582) from July, 1578, to October 19th, 1579, the temple was burned down in battle.  As Bokusen-ji Temple in Kyoto declined in Edo Period (1603-1867), the Karai Family, who used to be subject to Nakagawa Kiyohide (1542-1583), who was a cousin of Araki Murashige (1535-1586), moved it to the site of Jorozuka Fort, which used to be a branch fort of Arioka Castle.

     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.  The temple's precincts have a stone monument for the burned females.  Presumably, the Karai Family had something to do with the females.

     Anyway, Bokusen-ji Temple in Kyoto lasted.  The Tokugawa Shogunate's religious policy is strict and Bokusen-ji Temple in Itami faced difficulty in the continuation.  Sometime between 1661 and 1672, the temple in Itami found the way to become a branch of Daiko-ji Temple, and, sometime between 1704 and 1711, it finally became an official Buddhist temple with Unho, the 16th head priest of Daiko-ji Temple, as its founder.

     Today’s main hall was built after the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake.

Address: 6 Chome-3-3 Central, Itami, Hyogo 664-0851

Phone: 072-772-2764

Arioka Castle Ruins

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

Phone: 072-784-8090

Jorozuka Fort Site

Address: 6 Chome-2 Central, Itami, Hyogo 664-0851

Bokusen-ji Temple

Address: 741 Sumizomecho, Fushimi Ward, Kyoto, 612-0051

Phone: 075-642-2675

Daiko-ji Temple

Address: 2 Chome-5-16 Ayaha, Ikeda, Osaka 563-0051

Phone: 072-751-3433