Virtual Kako County Saigoku 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #18 Enko-ji Temple

 

     Enko-ji Temple, the 18th temple of the Kako County Saigoku 33 Kannon Pilgrimage, originally served as the shrine-temple (jingu-ji) of Kuniyasu-Tenman Shrine. Its chronological history is tied closely to the shrine:

653: Founded as Oji Gongen (the original site is now near the torii gate of Kuniyasu-Tenman Shrine).

675: Construction of Oike Pond.

893: Moved to the current site; Ike Daimyojin enshrined.

901: Sugawara Michizane (845–903) visited and rested here after landing at Futami.

1390: An island was built in the pond to enshrine Benzaiten, following a Buddhist priest's advice.

1565: The main shrine was rebuilt. Michizane became the primary deity due to a severe water shortage. Presumably, the pond was renamed "Tenma Oike" around this time.

1701: The current shrine building was constructed.

Historical Insights and Speculations:

     For context, Michizane was deified in 947. "Futami" refers to present-day Futamicho (Akashi, Hyogo). In the 10th century, the coastline would have been much closer to the Kuniyasu area than it is today.

     Even so, why did Michizane walk over four kilometers inland instead of staying at the port?

     Historical topography and records offer some fascinating clues. It is believed that a clan or figure named "O" arrived in the area in 653. They likely reclaimed rice fields from the rather wetlands without a main river, leaving Oike Pond as a remnant of that original landscape in the 7th century. They kept using the pond to regularly irrigate their rice fields. By the 9th century, locals began worshipping the pond itself as a deity. Hearing of Michizane's great prestige as a scholar and poet during his journey, a powerful local family likely invited him to rest at their residence.

     Centuries later, during the Nanboku-cho (the Southern and Northern Courts) period (1336–1392), their descendants may have built the island in the pond as a strategic place of refuge. Later, during the turbulent Sengoku (Warring States) period (1467-1568), the community faced severe hardships. To protect themselves, they likely sought to connect with the powerful network of Tenmangu shrines across the region. They may have emphasized their historical connection—the debt of gratitude for providing Michizane with a night's lodging and a meal—to justify making him their primary deity. This would explain why they chose to enshrine Michizane as a protective god, even though he was widely known as the deity of learning not the deity for rain.

     While the exact founding date of Enko-ji Temple remains unknown, it was relocated to its current site following the Shinbutsu Bunri Rei (Gods and Buddhas Separation Order) issued by the Meiji Restoration government in 1868.

Address: 14 Nakamura, Inami, Kako District, Hyogo 675-1122

Phone: 079-492-0078

Kuniyasu-Tenman Shrine

Address: 539 Kuniyasu, Inami, Kako District, Hyogo 675-1114

Phone: 079-492-0741

Kuniyasu-Tenman Shrine Torii Gate

Address: Address: 348 Rokubuichi, Inami, Kako District, Hyogo 675-1114