Virtual Sakai 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #30 Senshu-ji Temple

 

     Priest Eitetsu is said to have been an unrecorded son of Koga Toyomichi (1459-1536), a highranking noble man.  The priest studied Buddhism in Byodo-in Temple for 24 years.  He founded Senshu-ji Temple in 1558 at the age of 63.  As Toyomichi's only legitimate son was Michinobu (1487-1543), Eitetsu could have been Michinobu's half brother.

     Senshu-ji Temple used to be located in today's 2 Chome Shinmeichohigashi, Sakai Ward, Sakai, Osaka 590-0935.  It is said to have been relocated to Kagishi-cho, Nishinari Ward, Osaka, in 1904, but the ward doesn't have Kawagishi-cho, nor does it have a Senshu-ji Temple.

     Sakai City has another Senshu-ji Temple, which is said to have moved to its present place in 2015 from 947-5 Hirai, Naka Ward, Sakai, Osaka 599-8251.  Its history is unknown.  Osaka City has another Senshu-ji Temple, which isn't located in Nishinari Ward.

     Senshu-ji Temple's graveyard had the grave of Nunoya Gohe (1795-1851).  It is unknown where the grave has gone.

     For your information, Nunoya Gohei lived in Shukuin-machi Township and ran a cotton wholesale business.  He sold cotton goods to the residences of feudal lords, and his family business flourished.  He appreciated the elegance of traditional Japanese art, and enjoyed painting as a leisure activity, adept at the Shijo School painting.  He built a villa in Shiomigaoka, in today's Sumiyoshibashicho, Sakai Ward, Sakai, Osaka 590-0973.  In the Tenpo era (1831-1845), he hired potters from Awata, Kyoto, and built two kilns at the west end of Hishibashi Bridge, which is supposed to have been located near today's Ohama Bridge.  He also produced his own tea utensils.  His works were made of red porcelain with a white glaze, and are very elegant.  It is stamped with the seal Shiomi or inscribed Shiomi with a pallet, referring to the location of the villa.  They were presented to Gohei's friends.  There are not many of these left, and they are still coveted by tea ceremony lovers to this day.  He passed away on December 26th, 1851, at the age of 66.  He was buried in the grave yard of Senshu-ji Temple.  His posthumous name was Kotokuin Shoyo Teihan Zenshi according to the inscription on his grave, which was still known when the History of Sakai City was published in 1930. 

Byodo-in Temple

Address: Renge-116 Uji, Kyoto 611-0021

Phone: 0774-21-2861

Senshu-ji Temple

Address: 537-2 Hirai, Naka Ward, Sakai, Osaka 599-8251

Phone: 072-281-5711

Senshu-ji Temple

Address: 2 Chome-3-5 Tateba, Naniwa Ward, Osaka, 556-0020

Phone: 06-6561-0113

Ryujin-do Shrine

Address: 2 Chome-3-12 Ryujinbashicho, Sakai Ward, Sakai, Osaka 590-0971