Virtual Sakai 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #18 Shomyo-ji Temple

 

     Jitsujo-san Shomyo-ji Temple was founded in March, 1398, by Priest Shuko (?-1454).  It is unknown how long Shunko lived, but the foundation year and the  year of the founder’s death sounds a little bit incompatible with each other.

     Ouchi Yoshihiro (1356-1399) moved from place to place throughout Kyushu to fight under the Northern Court against the Southern Court in the 1370’s.  His rival, Shoni Fuyusuke (1333-1375), who also belonged to the Northern Court, was killed in conspiracy by Imagawa Sadayo (1326-?), who belonged to the Northern Court too.  After Fuyusuke’s death, Yoshihiro established his clan’s exclusive status and right in trading with Korea.  Bellum omnium contra omnes?

     The Kingdom of Goryeo (918-1392) and the Kingdom of Joseon (1392-1897) in the Korean Peninsula maintained relationships with the central government of Japan, but also turned their efforts to establishing relationships with powerful sea families and samurai families in Northern Kyushu and along the Seto Inland Sea.  It means the Korean Peninsula kingdoms employed realistic approaches to clear Earlier Wokou away.  Meanwhile, the Ming Dynasty accepted diplomatic relations only with “the King of Japan”, in this case the Ashikaga Shogunate.  

    Joseon accepted 2 types of official missions from Japan.  The first type was those from the King of Japan.  The second type was those from 5 “great chiefs'': the Shiba, Hosokawa, and Hatakeyama Clans, who were the Deputies of the Ashikaga Shogunate, the Shoni Clan, and the Ouchi Clan.  The Ouchi Clan defeated the Hosokawa Clan, and diminished the Shoni Clan.  The Shiba and Hatakeyama Clans were mainly based in Eastern Japan, and not interested in maritime affairs.  Even Joseon's official missions had to pass the Akama-ga-seki Channel, which were controlled by the Ouchi Clan, and the clan’s cooperation was inevitable.

     Yoshihiro sent troops to the Korean Peninsula into Gyeonsang Province in response to Goryeo’s summons for help.  Goryeo later sent an appreciation mission to Yoshihiro.  Yoshihiro asked for Tripitaka or Palman Daejanggyeong in return.  The Muromachi Shogunate seemed to have connived their direct exchanges, regarding the Ouch Clan as an agency with Korea.

    Being afraid of the Ouchi Clan’s power, Ashikaga Yoshimitsu (1358-1408), the third shogun of the Muromachi Shogunate, provoked Yoshihiro to rebel against Yoshimitsu himself, and killed him at Sakai in 1399.  That was called the Oei Incident.

     It is unknown whether the foundation of Shomyo-ji Temple had something to do with the incident or was just a coincidence.

Address: 4 Chome-3-15 Shinzaikechohigashi, Sakai Ward, Sakai, Osaka 590-0964

Phone: 072-223-1905