Virtual Kako County Bando 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #2 Enmei-ji Temple

 

     It is unknown exactly when Enmei-ji Temple was founded in Takasago Village, Kako County, Harima Province. As the temple belongs to the Seizan-Zenrinji Sect of Pure Land Buddhism, it must have been founded after the 13th century, when the sect was established by Joon (1201–1271).

     Enmei-ji Temple constitutes a unique Teramachi (temple township) together with Saifuku-ji, Gokuraku-ji, and Jurin-ji Temples from north to south. Mysteriously enough, all four temples belong to the exact same sect, whereas a usual temple township consists of various traditions to share supporting families.

     The key to this mystery may lie in the fact that Enmei-ji Temple's precincts house a so-called Christian Stone Lantern. The number of active Christians in Japan was estimated to be around 200,000 in 1582. Later, the second shogun, Tokugawa Hidetada (1579–1632), issued the expulsion of all missionaries from Japan in 1617. In the same year, the shogunate required all subjects across domains to register at their local Buddhist temples. Under this oppressive system, the Catholic remnants were driven underground, becoming known as Kakure Kirishitan (Hidden Christians). The aforementioned stone lantern is supposed to have been erected in the middle of the Edo Period (1603–1867), specifically around the 18th century, hinting at a hidden faith woven into the temple's history.

Address: 1080 Takasagocho Yokomachi, Takasago, Hyogo 676-0051

Phone: 079-442-1216

Saifuku-ji Temple

Address: 1079 Takasagocho Yokomachi, Takasago, Hyogo 676-0051

Phone: 079-490-2248

Gokuraku-ji Temple

Address: 1074 Takasagocho Yokomachi, Takasago, Hyogo 676-0051

Phone: 079-442-4556

Jurin-ji Temple

Address: 1074 Takasagocho Yokomachi, Takasago, Hyogo 676-0051

Phone: 079-442-0242