Virtual Kako County Chichibu 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #5 Manpuku-ji Temple

 

     Manpuku-ji Temple was originally established in 1476.

     Akamatsu Masanori (1455–1496) had miraculously revived the Akamatsu Clan, seizing the chaos of the Onin War (1467–1477) to reclaim Harima Province in 1467. However, as the saying goes, fortune and misfortune are intertwined. Internal strife soon fractured the clan in 1478, prompting Yamana Masatoyo (1441–1499) to invade Harima Province from the San’in region. It was not until July 1488 that Masatoyo finally withdrew his forces.

     Thus, Manpuku-ji was founded during a delicate, fleeting moment of peace—a brief quiet before the next storm.

     The temple was later burned to the ground in 1579 when Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1536-1598) invaded Harima Province. The main temple complex was fully restored in 1732—once again, in a delicate time—under the patronage of Sakakibara Masasuke (1705–1732), Lord of the Himeji Domain. As Masasuke died young without a direct heir, his adopted successor, Masamine (1715-1743), hurriedly took over the family line to prevent the dissolution of the domain. It remains unknown whether Masasuke lived long enough to witness the final completion of the temple.

     Stone monuments offering insight into the area's history stand within the temple grounds and cemetery. In the cemetery lies a section dedicated to muen-botoke (souls of the deceased with no surviving relatives to tend their graves), at the center of which stands a particularly prominent memorial stone. Dedicated to a man known by the posthumous Buddhist name Issan Tokku Koji, the history behind the monument is inscribed on its back. The following account is cited from the local publication Furusato Yahata (Hometown Yahata):

     "During the Enpo era (1673–1680), a severe famine caused by a poor harvest plunged local residents into deep destitution. Tomizuka Kyuemon, the local county administrator (gundai), learned that the farmers lacked not only the rice required for tax payments but even the means for daily survival. Moved to compassion, he petitioned the domain lord—at a time when leadership of the Himeji Domain was changing frequently—to suspend rice tax collections for two years. This act of mercy deeply touched everyone from village leaders down to ordinary farmers. Tomizuka passed away in 1681. To express their lasting gratitude, local villagers erected this monument and held a grand memorial service in August, 1703, marking the 23rd anniversary of his death."

     Near the south wall of the main hall stands another memorial stone inscribed with the name Kinrin Koro Koji, officially known as the Water Transport Development Monument. Erected in 1865, it bears an inscription on the side of the marker that has rendered mostly illegible over time. It honors the development of local water transport in Shimomura, a feat detailed in Furusato Yahata:

     "During the Bunsei era (1818–1830), when Okamoto Jinnosuke served as village leader, agricultural produce such as rice and wheat was transported primarily using oxen and horses. To ease this arduous labor, Okamoto constructed a port on the west side of Shimomura and excavated a canal connecting it to a nearby stream. Harvested grain could then be loaded at this port, navigated through the winding stream into the Okawa River (Kakogawa River), and shipped directly to Takasago. From there, it was transported by sea to Shikama Port, unloaded, and delivered as tax to the Himeji Domain. In recognition of his key role in developing this water transport route, Sakai Tadamichi (1777-1837), the Lord of Himeji Domain, granted Okamoto the privilege of wearing swords."

     Located a short distance from Manpuku-ji Temple, in front of the Jizo Hall at the center of Shimomura, stands the Lotus Sutra Monument, a "One Character, One Stone" memorial featuring an individual character of the Lotus Sutra inscribed on each stone. The calligraphy for the monument was reportedly executed by the head priest of Manpuku-ji Temple at the time. During the Tempo era (1830–1843), when a nationwide famine and epidemic brought severe hardship to Shimomura, the epidemic finally subsided after this monument was erected and prayers were offered. It is said that whenever the village faced crises, such as subsequent outbreaks, villagers gathered here to offer prayers led by the head priest. Composed of approximately one thousand stones—each bearing a single sutra character—the monument was dedicated to the repose of all souls across the Three Realms of existence (Sangai).

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