Jokoji Temple

The head temple of the Joko-ji sect of Shinshu Buddhism is located in Teramachi, Joetsu City, Niigata Prefecture. The mountain name is Kangyūyakusan. The principal image is Amida Nyorai. The founder was Shinran. According to temple legend, the origins lie in Inada Zenbo in Hitachi (Ibaraki Prefecture), where Shinran wrote Kyogyo Shinsho, and the temple was founded in 1224 (Gannin 1). In 1262 (Kōchō 2), Shinran's last will and testament was to protect his bones and relics, and the temple was located in Naganuma, Shinano Province (Nagano Prefecture) for about 300 years, but was burned down during the Battle of Kawanakajima and relocated to various locations. In 1610 (Keicho 15), when Matsudaira Tadateru built Takada Castle in Echigo (Niigata Prefecture), it was rebuilt in Teramachi behind the castle, but in 1646 (Shoho 3) it was moved to its current location. One theory is that it was moved to its current location after the Great Kanbun Earthquake (1665). Shinran's bones are enshrined in the mausoleum, and ordinary believers are also allowed to inter there. During the vigil on June 24th and the great ceremony on the 28th, the relics are displayed in front of the main hall and the pagoda is placed there.

[Koji Shimizu]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

新潟県上越(じょうえつ)市寺町にある真宗浄興寺派本山。山号は歓喜踊躍山(かんぎゆうやくさん)。本尊は阿弥陀如来(あみだにょらい)。開山は親鸞(しんらん)。寺伝によれば、親鸞が『教行信証(きょうぎょうしんしょう)』を著した常陸(ひたち)（茨城県）の稲田禅坊(いなだぜんぼう)を起源とし、1224年（元仁1）の開創という。1262年（弘長2）親鸞没時の遺命により頂骨と遺物を守り、信濃(しなの)国（長野県）長沼に約300年間あったが、川中島合戦のとき焼失、各地を移転した。1610年（慶長15）松平忠輝(ただてる)の越後(えちご)（新潟県）の高田城造営に伴い城下裏寺町に再興されたが、1646年（正保3）現地に移った。一説に寛文(かんぶん)大地震（1665）後に現在地に移転ともいう。親鸞廟(びょう)には頂骨を安置し、また一般信者の納骨も許している。6月24日逮夜(たいや)～28日の大法会(ほうえ)のときには本堂の正面に遺物の笈(おい)を飾り、宝塔を安置する。

［清水　乞］

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