Virtual Kako County Chichibu 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #2 Eisho-ji Temple

 

     Eisho-ji Temple is said to have been founded in 1504 by Bessho Norisada, the lord of Miki Castle, and his younger brother Murashige, both sons of Noriharu (?-1513).

     The temple houses the Stone Coffin Buddha Image of the Amida Triad, which was created in 1343 during the Nanboku-cho (Southern and Northern Courts) period (1336–1392). Made of tuff, the image measures 167 centimeters in height and 95 centimeters in width.

     A seated image of Amida Nyorai in the jo-in (meditation) mudra is carved into the underside of a house-shaped stone coffin lid, flanked by standing images of Seishi Bosatsu and Kannon Bosatsu. The entire composition is framed by a carved outline.

     The inscription reads: "This work is dedicated to the memorial rites for the parents and the salvation of all sentient beings. October 18th, Koei 2 (1343); respectfully offered by the patron."

     The Stone Coffin Buddha Image was originally enshrined along a prefectural road, but was relocated south of the Eisho-ji Temple gate due to road widening. The central Buddha figure stands approximately 62 centimeters tall.

     Although its precise original site cannot be pinpointed, the image is thought to have been relocated merely a few dozen meters. This strongly implies that the area was already a sacred ground or burial site long before the establishment of Eisho-ji, or perhaps home to an earlier prototype of the temple.

Address: 828 Kannocho, Kakogawa, Hyogo 675-0009

Phone: 079-438-5354

Miki Castle Ruins

Address: 5 Uenomarucho, Miki, Hyogo 673-0432

Phone: 0794-82-2000