Virtual Kako County Saigoku 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #1 Shirahata-Kannon-ji Temple

 

     In 917, when Uji Tomonari, who became the head Shinto priest of Aso Shrine, visited this area, he followed a divine message from Avalokitesvara and built a temple, enshrining a statue of Arya Avalokitesvara, who is the human-figure prototype of the other 6 metamorphoses, supported by local people.

     The temple's official name is just Kannon-ji.  When the locals used the white cloth, as instructed by Kannon (Avalokitesvara), as their boat's emblem, they were spared from the misfortunes of rough seas and winds.

     Since then, all the people of Takasago have used white cloth as their boat emblem, and the temple is called "Shirahata Kannon-ji" (White Flag Kannon Temple).

     At first, it belonged to Tiantai Sect with Kakurin-ji Temple as its head temple.  Some time between 1688 and 1704, it was converted to Caodong Chan Sect.

     Tomonari was the 20th head of the family, which is believed to have succeeded Aso Kuninomiyatsuko, the ancient ruler of the Aso area.

     Tomonari is a character in the Noh play "Takasago," created by Zeami (1363-1443).  During the reign (897-930) of Emperor Daigo (885-930), who compiled the "Kokin Wakashu" (Collection of Ancient and Modern Poems), Tomonari encountered an elderly couple, the gods of waka poetry, at Takasago Bay in Kako County, Harima Province, on his way to Kyoto.  The old man was the spirit of the Takasago pine tree, and the old woman was the spirit of the Sumiyoshi pine tree on the different shore.

     Tomonari asks, "Why are the Takasago pine and the Sumiyoshi pine, though far apart, called the Aioi Matsu (Twin Pine)?"  The two spirits explain the meaning of the "Aioi Matsu" (Twin Pine), celebrating the prosperity of the world, the peace and security of the land, and praising the current emperor's reign, where the art of poetry flourishes as it did in the time of the "Manyoshu" (Collection of Ten Thousand Leaves).  Tomonari receives a pine cone from Takasago, cultivates it in the grounds of Aso Shrine, and calls it the "Takasago Pine."

Address: Ikeda-399 Onoecho, Kakogawa, Hyogo 675-0023

Phone: 079-422-4906

Aso Shrine

Address: 3083-1 Ichinomiyamachi Miyaji, Aso, Kumamoto 869-2612

Phone: 0967-22-0064

Kakurin-ji Temple

Address: Kitazaike-424 Kakogawacho, Kakogawa, Hyogo 675-0031

Phone: 079-454-7053