Virtual Kako County Saigoku 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #14 Kyoshin-ji Temple

 

     Kyoshin-ji Temple was founded on the site of the hermitage of Monk Kyoshin (786-866).

     Kyoshin was born in Nara in 781, studied at Kofuku-ji Temple, and, at the age of 16, left the temple to travel throughout Japan. It is said that after more than 40 years, he arrived at Kako Station (Kako no Umaya) and built a hermitage. Kyoshin's activities in the Kako area involved chanting Buddhist prayers and assisting travelers along the highway, sometimes even transporting luggage from Akashi in the east to Amida-shuku (present-day Amida-cho, Takasago City) in the west. It is also said that Umaya-ga-ike Pond, located south of Kyoshin-ji Temple, was dug by Kyoshin and local people.

     In 866, realizing his impending death, Kyoshin instructed his wife and child before passing away to leave his remains beside the hermitage and give them to birds and animals. At the same time, Kyoshin appeared in a dream to Sho’nyo, a monk at Katsuo-ji Temple in Settsu Province, and announced his own death. The statue of Kyoshin's head, preserved at Kyoshin-ji Temple, is said to represent Kyoshin's appearance in the dream.

     Later, Emperor Seiwa (850-880), in remembrance of Kyoshin's virtues, built a temple on the site of the hermitage and named it Kannen-ji Temple. Emperor Sutoku (1119-1164) is said to have later renamed it Nenbutsu-zan Kyoshin-ji Temple in 1126. When Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1537-1598) besieged Miki Castle in 1578, Noguchi Fortress was captured, and Kyoshin-ji Temple was completely burned down. Some Buddhist statues and paintings were saved from destruction by the monks, and the temple buildings were rebuilt sometime between 1615 and 1623.

     Kyoshin was revered as a mentor by Ippen (1239-1289) and Shinran (1173-1263). Ippen stopped at the temple during his travels throughout the country. The temple's appearance at that time is depicted in the Ippen Shonin Picture Scroll.

     It is said that when Ippen stayed at Kyoshinji Temple, he performed a Nembutsu dance, which is considered the origin of the current Banshu Ondo.

Address: Noguchi-465 Noguchicho, Kakogawa, Hyogo 675-0012

Phone: 079-422-7189

Umaya-ga-ike Pond

Address: Noguchicho, Kakogawa, Hyogo 675-0012

Katsuo-ji Temple

Address: 2914-1 Aomatani, Minoh, Osaka 562-8508

Phone: 072-721-7010

Noguchi Fortress Site

Address: Noguchi-391-3 Noguchicho, Kakogawa, Hyogo 675-0012