Virtual Kako County Saigoku 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #27 Fukusho-ji Temple

 

     The exact foundation date of Fukusho-ji Temple remains unknown. It is said to have been built on the former site of the Furumukai (or Komukai) Fortified Residence, suggesting its establishment likely postdates the Siege of Miki Castle (1578–1580).

     The surrounding Furuta Village was relatively new at the time. In 1654, the region suffered a severe drought through spring and summer; the rice paddies cracked, seedlings withered, and the villagers were left without even enough seed rice for the following spring. Witnessing this devastation, Imazato Denbei (1610–1660) repeatedly surveyed the area on foot, meticulously mapping out water routes, elevations, and existing channels. Armed with his diagrams, he gathered the heads of 23 neighboring villages to explain the critical need for a new water source. Moved by his presentation, all the heads signed a petition and pledged their full cooperation.

     Denbei then petitioned Sakakibara Tadatsugu (1605–1665), the lord of the Himeji Domain, for the construction of the Shin'yu Canal. Recognizing the merit, Tadatsugu commissioned Denbei to lead the survey and launched the construction as a domain-sponsored project. The design was finalized by the end of that year, and construction began the following year.

     The project faced immense engineering hurdles, including excavating hard bedrock at Nishinoyama (today's Nishinoyama Kannocho, Kakogawa, Hyogo 675-0007) and Hiokayama, and channeling water under the Kise Riverbed via a buried conduit—even forcing water to flow uphill. Denbei was so committed that he reportedly declared, "If this new canal fails to deliver water, I will gladly accept the death penalty along with my family." He oversaw the site day and night. The domain provided cooked rice for the workforce, which totaled 164,000 laborers, averaging 400 to 500 people per day.

     After 15 months of grueling work, the canal was successfully opened. Deeply impressed, Lord Tadatsugu praised Denbei and asked how he wished to be rewarded. Denbei replied, "Having witnessed such a great blessing, I desire nothing for myself. My only sincere wish is that this new canal flows forever."

     Thanks to the stable water supply, Furuta Village grew prosperous enough to support an official Buddhist temple, leading to the estimated founding of Fukusho-ji Temple sometime after 1666.

Address: 3 Chome-13-11 Furuta, Harima, Kako District, Hyogo 675-0146

Phone: 079-435-1457

Hiokayama Observation Platform

Address: Ono-1754-2 Kakogawacho, Kakogawa, Hyogo 675-0061

The Grave of Imazato Denbei (1610-1660)

Address: Kamizukuri 14-471-11, Komiya, Harima, Kako District, Hyogo 675-0163

(The Grave of Imazato Denbei used to be located in the graveyard of Ganman-ji Temple, which itself used to be located in the southwest of Akiga-ike Pond.)

Shin'yu Yosui Canal

Address: Nakasaijo Yahatacho, Kakogawa, Hyogo 675-1205

Kisegawa Siphon

Address: 2 Chome-3-3 Onaka, Harima, Kako District, Hyogo 675-0142

Kisegawa Siphon  East Bank Outlet

Address: 5 Chome-19-1 Nishinozoe, Harima, Kako District, Hyogo 675-0160