Virtual Sakai 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #25 Kissho-in Temple

 

     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.  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.

     Tenjin-sha Shrine claims it was founded in 997, less than 1 century after Sugawara Michizane (845-903).  After his death caused by his demotion, the Imperial Court was afraid of his curses and apotheosized him in Kitano-Tenman-gu Shrine in 947.

     It is also unknown when Joraku-ji Temple was founded as its shrine temple.  The temple's history says that it had 8 sub-temples: Jisho-in, Kissho-in, Shonan-in, Baisho-in, Fusho-in, Eijun-bo, Yakuo-in, Kyoon-bo Temples.

     It is unknown when Kissho-in Temple was founded in Yamabushi-cho Township, Sakai Town, Izumi Province.  According to the Sakai Dai-ezu, namely the Sakai Grand Map, published in 1620, the township had 31 houses and Kyozo-in, Kujo-bo, Konzo-in, and Zenzo-in Temples.  Kissho-in Temple might not have been an official Buddhist temple.

The Yamabushi-cho Township area corresponds to today's Kitahatagochonishi, Sakai Ward, Sakai, Osaka 590-0928.

     For your information, Kawaguchi Ekai (1866–1945), a Japanese Buddhist monk who was famed for his 4 journeys to Nepal (in 1899, 1903, 1905 and 1913) and 2 to Tibet (1900–1902 and 1913–1915), was born in Yamabushi-cho Township.  He was the first recorded Japanese citizen to travel to either country.

     All the 4 temples in Yamabushi-cho Township were either abolished or merged in 1691.  All the sub-temples of Ten-jin-sha Shrine were abolished after the Meiji Restoration Government issued the Gods and Buddhas Separation Order in 1868.  

     In 1872, Tenjin-sha Shrine was renamed Sugawara Shrine.  

Sugawara Shrine

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

Kitano Tenman-gu Shrine

Address: Bakurocho, Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto, 602-8386

Phone: 075-461-0005