Trees In the Town

 

Virtual Arima County 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #27 Kinsho-ji Temple

 

     Kuwabara-san Kinsho-ji Temple was founded by Minamoto Mitsunaka (912-997) sometime between 970 and 973, belonging to the Shingon Sect.

  In 1228, when Dogen (1200-1253), the founder of the Caodong Chan School in Japan, returned from Song China at the age of 28, he stopped by Kuwabara to soak in Arima Hotsprings for relaxation.  As the mountain on which the temple stood resembled Mount Bulao (Forever Young) in China, he named the temple Taiso-san Kinsho-ji and converted it to his sect.  So is the Japanese pronunciation of the Chinese character Song.  It is unknown where Mount Bulao was, but it is highly probable that he visited today's Nanjing City, which has Bulao Village.  I have visited the city a couple of times but have never been to the village, so I can't tell whether or not the village resembles Kuwabara.  Neither do I guarantee that you’d be forever young by visiting either village.

Address: 866 Kuwabara, Sanda, Hyogo 669-1521

Phone: 079-564-3950

Bulao Village

Address: No. 103 Zhenqi Road, Jiangpu Sub-district, Pukou District

Trees In the Town

 

Virtual Arima County 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #26 Chosho-ji Temple

 

     Chosho-ji Temple was founded in today's Ichigayatamachi,Shinjuku City, Tokyo 162-0843, in 1616, when Tokugawa Ieyasu (1542-1616) died, by Priest Eiteki, with Priest Somo (?-1675) as a nominal founder.  Later, Chosho-ji Temple was moved to its present place.  Another Chosho-ji Temple was relocated within Edo City in 1635, when the Outer Moat of Edo Castle was widened.  As Kuki Hisataka (1617-1649), who was the lord of the Sanda Domain, was a member of the constructors of the castle, the temple could have been moved to the domain in 1635, too.

     The remove of Chosho-ji Temple to the domain was supported by Ozawa Seibei and Yamaoka Gorosaku.

     The mystery of Chosho-ji Temple has 2 points.  First, who was Somo?  Why did the priest who could have been no more than a baby or a toddler when Ieyasu died have to be confined in a Buddhist temple?  Did Seibei and Gorosaku take part in the construction, meet Somo, and pity him?  Which did Somo move, to the one in Edo or to the one in the Sanda Domain?

     Chosho-ji Temple in the Sanda Domain was founded at the foot of Kuwabara Fortress.  The Kuwabara Family was ousted from the fortress by Araki Murashige (1535-1586) sometime between 1573 and 1592.  Kuwabara Sadanari was subject to Sengoku Hidehisa (1552-1614), who fought for Tokugawa Hidetada (1579-1632), the second Shogun of the Tokugawa Shogunate.  In 1600, Hidehisa was in the army of Hidetada, they were unable to reach the Sekigahara main battle in time.  However, Hidehisa successfully spared both he and Hidetada after the blunder.  Hidetada remained grateful to Hidehisa for the remainder of his life.  Did that have something to do with the relocation of the temple?  If so, was Somo an obstacle for Hidetada to be the second Shogun after Ieyasu's death? 

     Somo is said to have been the 3rd priest (or would-be 3rd priest?) of Choryu-ji Temple, which had been founded in 1593 by Kono Morimasa (1541-1617), who had been subject to Takeda Harunobu (1521-1573) and his son, Katsuyori (1546-1582), in Kai Province.  After Katsuyori was cornered to commit suicide on March 11th, 1582, by Ieyasu, Morimasa became subject to Ieyasu in June.  Anyway, did Somo have something to do with the Takeda Clan?

     If Seibei and Gorosaku had pity on him, how did Somo live in the domain from 1635 to 1675?  40 years is long enough to fully have a life. 

Address: 69 Yamata, Sanda, Hyogo 669-1511

Phone: 079-562-2043

Chosho-ji Temple

Address: 9 Ichigayayakuojimachi, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 162-0063

Phone: 03-3341-0997

Kuwabara Fortress Site

Address: Kuwabara, Sanda, Hyogo 669-1521

Choryu-ji Temple

Address: 2 Chome-31-2 Koenjiminami, Suginami City, Tokyo 166-0003

Trees In the Town

 

Virtual Arima County 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #25 Tokko-san Kaburai-ji Temple

 

     According to temple tradition, the mountain on which Kaburai-ji Temple stands has been a sacred mountain since prehistoric times.  The area is also said to be the birthplace of Princess Hoshihito, who gave birth to Prince Shotoku.  Shotoku built the temple in 581.  At that time, a kabura-ya arrow was donated, and the temple was named Kaburai-ji.  Kaburai literally means Kabura to Shoot.

     For your information, a kabura-ya arrow whistled when shot and was used in ritual archery exchanges before formal medieval battles in Japan.  The usage of a kabura-ya arrow was first documented in the Tale of Hogen, which is a Japanese war chronicle or military tale, and which relates the events and prominent figures of the Hogen Rebellion in 1156.  The tale is believed to have been completed around 1320 in the Kamakura Period.  

     So, it is uncertain if a kabura-ya arrow existed in Japan in the 6th century.

     The temple was burned down in a war during the Southern and Northern Courts Period (1336-1392), and it was burned down again in a forest fire in the Edo Period (1603-1867).  The temple was rebuilt in 1862 by Priest Yua.

     The Tenchugumi Incident, which was a military uprising to revere the Emperor and to expel the foreigners, broke out in Yamato Province on September 29th, 1863.  They were finally defeated in September, 1864.  The uprising was supported not only by some people in Yamato Province but also by some in the surrounding provinces.

     In 1873, when some ex-samurai in Mita called themselves the remnants of Tenchu-gumi, attacked temples and shrines, Kaburai-ji Temple was attacked and burned down, and it was abolished.

     In the autumn of 1955, a decade after Japan was defeated in World War II, Prince Kuni Asaakira (1901–1959), who was an elder brother of Empress Kojun (1903-1989), visited the site where Kaburai-ji Temple used to stand.  It is unknowable what he prayed for.  Let me list his economic performances:

     October 14th, 1947: As he was demoted to commoner status, a lump sum of 8,393,000 yen (approximately 420 million yen in 2024 value) is paid by the government.

     1947: He declared his assets for property tax purposes.  7,048,000 yen (approximately 350 million yen in 2024 value) worth land, excluding national land he actually owned.  To pay property tax of 5,352,000 yen (approximately 270 million yen in 2024 value), he sold his main residence in Miyashiro-cho to Masaichi Nagata (1906-1985) for 7,700,000 yen (approximately 385 million yen in 2024 value), and moved to a villa in Tokiwamatsu-cho, Shibuya Ward (today's Shibuya 4-chome).

     1950: The national land of his villa in Tokiwamatsu-cho became his private property through a related party transfer.  Around that time, the Imperial Household Agency intervened in the financial recovery of the Kuni Family, and a "Reconstruction plan for the Imperial Family" was drawn up to increase the family's assets by reselling land.  The family moved to a new home in Nishi-Ochiai, Shinjuku Ward, and secured an annual income of 2.7 million yen (54 million yen  in 2024 value) by managing the remaining assets.

     1951: He sold the villa to Matano Kensuke (1894－1984), president of Iino Kaiun Co., Ltd., for 13.5 million yen.

     1951: When the lot of the former Kuni Family's residence was sold by the government to the University of the Sacred Heart, he took possession of part of it through a personal transfer and resold it to Sacred Heart for a profit.

     1951: He launched the Japanese-made perfume brand Kuni Perfume.

     1952: He contracted to cover up a crime committed by an Indian trader, gave gifts to the Chief Prosecutor of the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office, and entertained customs officials.

     1952: He sold art and real estate, earning 22 million yen (approximately 400 million yen in 2024 value).

     His colorful history of love affairs was more gorgeous than his economic achievements, and I, such a common and ordinary person, would rather avoid explaining in detail.  Some say he had over a dozen love children.

     Nakamura Masataka entered the temple in May 1959, the goma hall was rebuilt in May, 1965, and the Three-Storied Pagoda was built in May, 1973.

     A branch was founded in Hakodate City in 1978.

     The Main Hall was rebuilt in 1992, and the Bentendo Hall in 1994.

     Ancient lotus plants, whose seeds were discovered by Nishino Mariko under the guidance of Oga Ichiro (1883-1965) at a Jomon ruins in the University of Tokyo Kemigawa Athletics and Sports Ground, are grown in the pond on the temple grounds.

     What did Asaakira pray for in 1955?  And what is the relation between Asaakira and Masataka?

     Anyway, Kaburai-ji Temple's san-go is Tokko-san.  Tokko literally means a one-pronged vajra.  The Arima County 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #24 Taifuku-ji Temple's san-go is Sanko-san.  Sanko is namely the three-pronged vajra, with two makara, plus a central prong.  Buddhism has  five-pronged vajra, with four makara, plus a central prong;  seven-pronged vajra, with six makara, plus a central prong; and nine-pronged vajra, with eight makara, plus a central prong.  It is obvious that the Arima County 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #24 Taifuku-ji Temple and the Arima County 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #25 Kaburai-ji Temple are linked with Prince Shotoku.  There is Goko-san Komyo-ji Temple, which has something to do with Prince Shotoku.  Could there be Nanako-san and Kyuko-san temples?

     Kaburai-ji Temple is also the #10 memver temple of the Settsu 33 Kannon Pilgrimage.

Address: Ikuno-1078-1 Dojocho, Kita Ward, Kobe, Hyogo 651-1503

Phone: 078-986-4095

The University of Tokyo Kemigawa Athletics and Sports Ground

Address: 1035 Hanazonocho, Hanamigawa Ward, Chiba, 262-0021

Phone: 043-273-8669

Goko-san Komyo-ji Temple

Address: Ikuno-837 Dojocho, Kita Ward, Kobe, Hyogo 651-1503

Phone: 0120-358-553

Trees In the Town

 

Virtual Arima County 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #24 Sanko-san Taifuku-ji Temple

 

     Mount Hatsuka has been a holy place since prehistoric days.  The Hasokushi Manor was developed along the Hatsuka River and owned by Shitenno-ji Temple, which was founded by Prince Shotoku (574-622), whose wet nurse is said to be from the manor.  Taifuku-ji Temple is said to be as old as Shitenno-ji Temple.

     Mount Hatsuka could have been pronounced Mount Hatsukashi and the Hatsuka River could have been pronounced Hatsushika River.

     Taifuku-ji Temple holds the Taishi Matsuri, or the Prince Festival, every year on February 11th.  This event welcomes children born in the Ikuno area the previous year and the children who have moved there as members of the community.  In honor of Prince Shotoku, visitors are presented with a "Sparrow's Head," which is an intangible folk cultural asset designated by Kobe City, in hopes of the healthy development of wisdom.  Over 200 sparrows are made in pairs, with males measuring approximately 17 centimeters and females approximately 15 centimeters.  The nutgall tree wood is painted with ink and food coloring red.  The nests are made from unpainted Japanese bigleaf magnolia wood carved into a flower-like shape, approximately 15 centimeters in diameter.  Over 100 of the pairs are made.  On the day of the festival, the sparrows and nests are attached to bamboo stalks and displayed around the altar, impaled on bundles of straw.

Address: 148 Dojocho, Kita Ward, Kobe, Hyogo 651-1503

Phone: 078-985-4163

Trees In the Town

 

Virtual Arima County 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #23 Kanze-ji Temple

 

     It is unknown when Kanze-ji Temple was founded in Shiota Village, Arima County, Settsu Province.  The Jori system seems to have been introduced in Shiota Manor.

     In the 8th century, rice fields were rezoned by the unit of 11,881 square meters.  Horizontal 6 units were called Jo, and vertical 6 units were called Ri.  Accordingly, the rezoning system was called the Jori system.

     Some suggest the temple had something to do with Shiota Hachiman Shrine, which was originally called Dasai Shrine.

     Dasai Shrine was already in Shiota Manor at the beginning of the 9th century.  The shrine enshrined Toshigami.  Toshigami was the god of abundant harvests, and specifically of grain or rice.  Toshigami is recorded in the Kojiki, or Records of Ancient Matters, which is an early Japanese chronicle of myths, legends, hymns, genealogies, oral traditions, and semi-historical accounts dating as far back as 641, but Toshigami isn't recorded in the Nihon Shoki, or the Chronicles of Japan, whose compilation was finished in 720.  It is unknown why Toshigami was excluded from Shintoism hierarchy.

     Anyway, Dasai Shrine became Shiota-Hachiman Shrine, being a branch of Iwashimizu Hachiman-gu Shrine, by whom Shiota Manor was owned.  In 1158, the shrine had its shrine temple, Jingu-ji Temple.  So, Kanze-ji wasn't the shrine temple.

     As Kanze-ji Temple was located at the foot of Tateishi Fortress, the temple could have had something to do with the lord of the fortress.  Some believe the fortress was built by Yamazaki Tsunemasa in 1564.  In 1565, Tsunemasa is said to have attacked Higashinogami Fortress.  Some say, when Tsunemasa did falconry around Ebisu Shrine in 1601, he had a rest in the shrine and donated some land to it.  Tsunemasa could have been a relative of Yamazaki Kataie (1547-1591), who became the lord of the Sanda Castle in 1582.  In 1601, Kataie's son, Iemori (1567-1614) was demoted to Wakasa, Hatto County, Inaba Province.  Some don't believe in the existence of Tsunemasa.

Address: Shiota-3159-1 Dojocho, Kita Ward, Kobe, Hyogo 651-1502

Phone: 07956-3-3682.

Shiota Hachiman Shrine

Address: Shiota-3238 Dojocho, Kita Ward, Kobe, Hyogo 651-1502

Phone: 078-985-2863

Iwashimizu Hachiman-gu Shrine

Address: Takabo−30, Yawata, Kyoto 614-8005

Phone: 075-981-3001

Tateishi Fortress Site

Address: Teramuracho, Sanda, Hyogo 669-1523

Ebisu Shrine

Address: 57 Nagasaka, Sanda, Hyogo 669-1355

Phone: 079-567-1062

Higashinogami Fortress Site

Address: Higashinogami, Sanda, Hyogo 669-1312

Trees In the Town

 

Virtual Arima County 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #22 Shinmei-ji Temple

 

     It is unknown when, why, and how Shinmei-ji Temple was founded in Tanaka Village, Arima County, Settsu Province.  The village used to be owned by Ise Shrine.

     According to the Association of Shinto Shrines, we have about 5,000 Shinmei Shrines across Japan.  Some even argue there are about 180,000 of them.  They all enshrine Amaterasu as their main deity, and thus each of them is supposed to be a branch of Ise Shrine.  Accordingly, Tanaka Village had its Shinmei Shrine.  Shinmei-ji Temple is said to have been called Shinmei-an, which might have been founded as its shrine temple.  Shinmei-an Temple might have become an independent religion institute after the Meiji Restoration Government issued the Gods and Buddhas Separation Order in 1868.

     As Sanda City merged 2 Tanaka Villages, one is called Higashi-Honjo-Tanaka and the other with Shinmei-ji Temple is called Shimo-Tanaka.

     Anyway, Kitabatake Shigemasa is said to have built Tanaka Residence or Tanaka Fortress to rule and guard the village.  Kitabatake Akiyoshi (1326-1383) became the Governor of Ise Province during the Southern and Northern Courts Period (1337-1392), based in Tage County.  Judging from his first name, Shigemasa could have been a vassal related to Akiyoshi's grandfather, Moroshige (1270-1322), by family.  He could have been an illegitimate son of Morishige, or he could have won Morishige’s confidence and been adopted.  Presumably,  he was sent to Tanaka Village either in the 14th century or in the 15th century by Akiyoshi or by his successor, Akiyasu (1361-1414).

     Tanaka Fortress was first documented when Ikeda Nobumasa (?-1548) occupied the fortress in 1519.  The fortress was recaptured by the Kitabatake Family later, but was destroyed presumably in 1575, when Araki Murashige (1536-1586) invaded Arima County.

     The fortress ruins remained.  However, when Muko River was straightened in 1935, the ruins went under the water.  Anyway, the fortress could have been somewhere around Shimotanaka Hall.

     Thus, the memories of samurai days went away.  If or when the shrine is abolished, will the memories of the area pass away?  How about the temple?  In Hyogo Prefecture alone, about 450 local festivals and religious events have gone.  The number of shrines is said to be halved by 2040.

Address: 156-1 Shimotanaka, Sanda, Hyogo 669-1522

Phone: 079-562-3623

Shinmei Shrine

Address: 117 Shimotanaka, Sanda, Hyogo 669-1522

Ise Grand Shrine

Address: 1 Ujitachicho, Ise, Mie 516-0023

Phone: 0596-24-1111

Address: 279 Toyokawacho, Ise, Mie 516-0042

Phone: 0596-24-1111

Kitabatake Residence Ruins

Address: 1148 Misugicho Kamitage, Tsu, Mie 515-3312

Kitabatake Residence Guardhouse Ruins

Address: Misugicho Shimotage, Tsu, Mie 515-3311

Kiriyama Castle Ruins

Address: G7FQ+7P, Tsu, Mie 515-3421

Shimotanaka Hall

Address: 243 Shimotanaka, Sanda, Hyogo 669-1522

Trees In the Town

 

Virtual Arima County 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #21 Shinko-ji Temple

 

     It is unknown when Shinko-ji Temple was founded in Tera-mura Village, Arima County, Settsu Province, as a temple of Caodong Chan School.  Tera-mura literally means Temple Village, and the village was named so because the area belonged to the Arima 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #19 Kinshin-ji Temple, which belongs to Shingon Sect.

     The village was first documented in Keicho Kuni-ezu, or the Keicho Maps of the Provinces.  Tokugawa Ieyasu (1542-1616), the founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate, conducted a land survey of the distribution and rice yields of the feudal lords' territories and the lands of temples and shrines across Japan in September, 1605.  He appointed Nishio Yoshitsugu (1530-1606) as magistrate in charge of Eastern Provinces and Tsuda Hidemasa (1546-1653) as magistrate in charge of Western Provinces.  The maps are said to have been made based on this survey.

     The village could be quite newly developed at the foot of the Hakkei Hills (Hakkeicho, Sanda, Hyogo 669-1524) and the temple could be as new as the village.  The hills used to have Tateishi Fortress, which is supposed to have been built to attack Sanda Castle.

     For unknown reason, the village had the water irrigation rights of Sanda-Oike Pond (5 Yashikimachi, Sanda, Hyogo 669-1532).  Maybe, the village inherrited the rights from Kinshin-ji Temple.  As the pond lied south to Sanda Castle, the rights were sometimes restricted for the sake of the castle's defence.

Address: 4352 Teramuracho, Sanda, Hyogo 669-1523

Phone: 079-562-2977

Kinshin-ji Temple

Address: 3 Chome-28-45 Tenjin, Sanda, Hyogo 669-1531

Phone: 079-563-3084

Sanda Castle Site

Address: Yashikimachi 2 Chome-2-20, Sanda, Hyogo 669-1532

Tateishi Fortress Site

Address: Teramuracho, Sanda, Hyogo 669-1523