Virtual Kako County Chichibu 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #26 Zuio-ji Temple

 

     It is unknown when Zuio-ji Temple was founded in Furuta Village, Kako County, Harima Province.

     The village was relatively newly developed in the Edo period (1603-1867). In 1654, the region suffered a severe drought through spring and summer; the rice paddies cracked, seedlings withered, and the villagers were left without even enough seed rice for the following spring. Witnessing this devastation, Imazato Denbei (1610–1660) repeatedly surveyed the area on foot, meticulously mapping out water routes, elevations, and existing channels. Armed with his diagrams, he gathered the headmen of 23 neighboring villages to explain the critical need for a new water source. Moved by his presentation, all the headmen signed a petition and pledged their full cooperation.

     Denbei then petitioned Sakakibara Tadatsugu (1605–1665), the lord of the Himeji Domain, for the construction of the Shin'yu Canal. Recognizing the merit, Tadatsugu commissioned Denbei to lead the survey and launched the construction as a domain-sponsored project. The design was finalized by the end of that year, and construction began the following year.

     The project faced immense engineering hurdles, including excavating hard bedrock at Nishinoyama (today's Nishinoyama Kannocho, Kakogawa, Hyogo 675-0007) and Hiokayama, and channeling water under the Kise Riverbed via a buried conduit—even forcing water to flow uphill. Denbei was so committed that he reportedly declared, "If this new canal fails to deliver water, I will gladly accept the death penalty along with my family." He oversaw the site day and night. The domain provided cooked rice for the workforce, which totaled 164,000 laborers, averaging 400 to 500 people per day.

     After 15 months of grueling work, the canal was successfully opened. Deeply impressed, Lord Tadatsugu praised Denbei and asked how he wished to be rewarded. Denbei replied, "Having witnessed such a great blessing, I desire nothing for myself. My only sincere wish is that this new canal flows forever."

     Zuio-ji Temple could have been founded after 1666.

Address: 3 Chome-16-1 Furuta, Harima, Kako District, Hyogo 675-0146

Phone: 079-435-1369

Fukusho-ji Temple

Address: 3 Chome-13-11 Furuta, Harima, Kako District, Hyogo 675-0146