Virtual Kako County Saigoku 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #17 Zenryo-an Hermitage

 

     The history of Zenryo-an Hermitage is wrapped in a local mystery. Its recorded address is 108 Nishitani, Hiraokacho, Kakogawa, Hyogo (675-0102). However, a look at the area today reveals private houses at numbers 106 and 109, but number 108 is nowhere to be found. While one record notes that this former Caodong Chan hermitage eventually became a private house, local maps indicate that Zenryo-ji Temple stands adjacent to number 106.  Number 108 seems vacant.

     Whether known as Zenryo-an or Zenryo-ji, its past is completely untraceable. Where is its sacred Eleven-Faced Kannon statue now? Is it being preserved secretly within a private residence, or has it found a new home in a distant temple?

     Nishitani Village was developed in 1679 and Nishitani-Hachiman-gu Shrine was invited in the same year.  Zenryo-an Hermitage could have been built about that time or later.

Zenryo-ji Temple

Address: Nishitani-107 Hiraokacho, Kakogawa, Hyogo 675-0102

 

Nishitani-Hachiman-gu Shrine

Address: Nishitani-129 Hiraokacho, Kakogawa, Hyogo 675-0102