Virtual Sakai 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #27 Henjo-ji Temple

 

     Henjo-ji Temple was founded in 1580 by Priest Toko (?-1586).  The temple keeps Yukinoshita-saki Shichijo-kesa, a Buddhist priest's sash.  The sash was given by Oda nobunaga (1534-1582) to Priest Teian (1539-1635), who handed it over to Toko.

     Teian was born on March 7th, 1539, in Kuronuma Village, Miura County, Sagami Province, as a son of Oe Masatoki.  His mother, Nowaki, died when he was 4 years old, and his father was killed in battle next year.  He was raised by Nowaki’s sister for a while, but sent to Dairen-ji Temple in Odawara, Sagami Province, at the age of 7.  He shaved his head at the age of 11.  He studied under Priest Gyoshin.  When Gyoshin moved to Gugyo-ji Temple in Hitachi Province, Teian followed the priest.  In 1573, he became the head priest of the temple.  He happened to visit Saiko-ji Temple in Nanao, Noto Province, when Nagao Kagetora (1530-1578) started invading Noto Province.  Teian fled to Myokongo-ji Temple in Omi Province in 1576.  In 1579, he took part in the Azuchi Religious Debate, which was hosted by Nobunaga, the ruler of Japan at the time, as one of the 4 members of Pure Land Buddhism's side.  His team won in a spectacular fashion, and he won the trust of Nobunaga.  He was given an estate in Azuchi, and established another Saiko-ji Temple there. 

     Toko also took part in the debate as a fellow team member of Teian.

Address: 4 Chome-1-10 Kushiyachohigashi, Sakai Ward, Sakai, Osaka 590-0944

Phone: 072-232-0395

Dairen-ji Temple

Address: 2 Chome-4-9 Minamicho, Odawara, Kanagawa 250-0013

Phone: 0465-22-7557

Gugyo-ji Temple

Address: Ko 1, Toyookamachi, Joso, Ibaraki 303-0041

Phone: 0297-24-0895

Saiko-ji Temple

Address: 148 Kojimamachi, Nanao, Ishikawa 926-0852

Phone: 0767-52-2695

Myokongo-ji Temple

Address: 1887 Ibacho, Higashiomi, Shiga 521-1235

Phone: 0748-42-1540

Saiko-ji Temple

Address: Omihachiman, Shiga 521-1311