Kichijoji-Temple
This is a
temple of the Soto sect that was built by Kokubun, who was the chief
vassal of the Dates family and the owner of Hagyu castle in the year
1466, during the Bunsei era. For this temple, Kokai-Kyusan,
the Fourth Buddhist monk of Kounji-Temple (Murakami City, Niigata
prefecture), founded Kichijoji. The current priest chief is
Kusunoki Kendo the 31st, and the land has roughly 8,000 tsubos (26,446
square meters), with the main temple, Bishamonten-Royal Hall, and
cemetery in its grounds. Observing the individual epitaph
alone makes it worthwhile to learn about the history of Hagyu.
The temple holds many treasures, but most importantly, the
beloved horse saddle of Kusunoki Masakatsu; the 2nd monk of
Kounji-Temple, Kaido Kumakatsu-Zenshi, and is the eldest grandson of
Kusunoki Masashige. Moreover, there is the mortuary tablet
that worships Kokubun who was the eleventh Hagyu castellan, a painting
of Great Nirvana, a box used by an important person for ceremonial
purposes, and a “Mabiki-zu” that was said to be on textbooks in the
Meiji-era, and so forth. Furthermore, there is a mirror on
the ceiling of the temple gate, and if looked upon from beneath, the
mystery of the painting on the temple gate can be
solved. The painting is done by Mr. Tsutomu Otani (a teacher
at Yamagata Arts Club). Those who can see the Nio statue,
their wishes are said to come true.
