Virtual Akashi 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #13 Chofuku-ji Temple

 

     Amida-ji Temple was founded in Inji Village, Akashi County, Harima Province, sometime between 957 and 961 by Monk Kuya (903-972).

     In 1441, the Kakitsu Rebellion broke out, and the Akamatsu Clan, who ruled Harima Province, was destroyed by the Ashikaga Shogunate.  Akamatsu Tokikatsu (1433-1455) became fatherless.  He first hid himself in Murotsu, Harima Province.  He was later brought up in Jogan-ji Temple in Yono Village, Asai County, Omi Province.  When he died at the age of 23, his son, Masanori (1455-1496), was just 8 months old.  He miraculously revived the Akamatsu Clan.  He took advantage of the Onin War (1467-1477) and carried out a kind of Reconquista in Harima Province.  Akashi County was engulfed in the Reconquista and so was Amida-ji Temple.

     After the temple was burned down during the Onin War, it was renamed Cofuku-ji when its buildings were rebuilt.

     In 1652, Priest Rinpo built a priests' quarter and converted the temple to the Linji Chan Sect.

     According to Akashi Ki, or Akashi Topography, which was written by Nagano Tsuneomi and edited by Oi Tsunetaka, who was a vassal of Akashi Domain, around the 1720's, Inaji Village had Kannon-do Hall besides Chofuku-ji and Shogaku-ji Temples.  Tsuneomi recorded that the hall was the #13 member temple of the Akashi 33 Kannon Pilgrimage.  A Buddhist tanka poem suggests the hall was called Hokurin-ji, namely North Grove Temple.  As the Akashi 33 Kannon Pilgrimage was organized in 1658, Hokurin-ji Temple’s being the pilgrimage’s original member isn’t unreasonable, but it is unknown when the temple was abolished and the membership was transferred to Chofuku-ji Temple.

     The Buddhist tanka poem for the Akashi 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #13 is:

People all gather from East, West, and South

And climb North to Hokurin-ji Temple to pray to

For the light of the Buddha in our life.

Address: 166 Hiranocho, Nishi Ward, Kobe, Hyogo 651-2266

Phone: 078-961-0202

Jogan-ji Temple

Address: 828-1 Owakicho, Higashiomi, Shiga 527-0091

Phone: 0748-24-2370

Shogaku-ji Temple

Address: Inji-302 Hiranocho, Nishi Ward, Kobe, Hyogo 651-2266

Phone: 078-961-2236