Virtual Kako County Saigoku 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #20 Zenpuku-ji Temple

 

     According to the Zenpukuji Engi (The History of Zenpukuji Temple) compiled in 1695, the temple originated as an Amitabha Hall built in Osawa Village during the Kamakura period (1185–1333).

     To understand the deeper roots of this location, we must look further back into the region's rich history. From the late Yayoi period (1000 BC–300 AD) through the Kofun period (300–538 AD), the nearby Onaka area flourished as the largest settlement in what is now Hyogo Prefecture. By the Nara period (710–794), the area was known as Ae Manor (Ae-no-sho) within Kako County. It was within this historic Ae Manor that the Amitabha Hall was originally established.

     While the name "Osawa Village" first appeared in historical documents in 1354, the Amitabha Hall itself was tragically destroyed by fire during the turbulent wars of the Tensho era (1573–1592). In 1608, the village headman, Otsuji Sobei, secured the cooperation of the hall's resident monk, Priest Choton, to relocate the site of the hall to his own residential grounds, the temple's current location, and built new temple buildings. In 1656, the hall was officially elevated from a local village chapel to a recognized Buddhist temple, receiving the mountain name Mansho-zan and the temple name Zenpuku-ji.

     Under the leadership of successive head priests, notably the 6th, Shuzen, and the 13th, Taibyo, the temple dedicated itself to community education by hosting a terakoya (private temple school). Following the promulgation of Japan's modern education system in 1872, this educational legacy evolved into Osawa Elementary School (the predecessor of today's Harima Elementary School), which was established on the temple grounds.

     The temple's spiritual and physical heritage was further revitalized under the 20th priest, Nakajima Jindo (1933-). Through a major reconstruction project, the main gate, the main hall, and the living quarters were completed in 1991, followed by the dedication of the temple bell and bell tower in 2000.

Address: 2 Chome-6-12 Onaka, Harima, Kako District, Hyogo 675-0142

Phone: 079-437-8074

Onaka site

Address: 1 Chome-1 Onaka, Harima, Kako District, Hyogo 675-0142

Phone: 079-437-5589

Harima Elementary School

Address: 1 Chome-3-10 Miyakita, Harima, Kako District, Hyogo 675-0143

Phone: 079-437-9849