Virtual Miki County 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #5 Unryu-ji Temple

 

     According to temple legend, Unryu-ji Temple was founded in 957 by Priest Ryogen, who belonged to the Tiantai Sect.  It was later destroyed by fire during the Hogen Era (1156–1159), but was rebuilt by Akamatsu Norimura (1277-1350) in 1322 and was transferred to Caodong Chan School.  In the Warring States Period (1467-1573), the temple gained the patronage of the Bessho Family.  The temple was destroyed by fire in 1578, when Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1536-1598) besieged Miki Castle from 1578 to 1580.  After the war, Hideyoshi granted land to the temple.

     The temple precincts have a grave where the heads of Bessho Nagaharu (1558-1580) and his wife, Teruko (?-1580), who were defeated in Hideyoshi's attack on Miki Castle, are said to have been buried.  A memorial service is held at the temple every year on January 17th, the anniversary of their suicide.

     Nagaharu left a death tanka poem:

Now I have no grudges

Because I think of our own lives

As being substitutes for others.

     Did Teruko and his family have no grudges?

Address: 9-4 Uenomarucho, Miki, Hyogo 673-0432

Phone: 0794-82-0740