Morinji Temple

This is a Soto sect temple in Tatebayashi, Gunma Prefecture. Its mountain name is Seiryuzan. The principal image is Shakamuni Buddha. It was built in 1468 (Onin 2) by Akai Masamitsu, the lord of Aoyagi Castle, and the founder was Dairin Shotsu, a monk of Saijoji Temple. In 1522 (Taiei 2), it became an imperial temple of Emperor Gokashiwabara. During the Edo period, the red seal land was over 23 koku. This temple is known for the legend of the Bunbuku Chagama, and the water from the tea kettle brought out by Shomichi's attendant monk Shukaku for a major ceremony never ran out, no matter how much was drawn, and it became famous for being named Bunbuku Chagama, which shares good fortune. According to legend, Shukaku was transformed from a weasel, and was the subject of a fairy tale during the Edo period. The treasure museum houses many temple treasures, including the Bunpuku tea kettle and the ink painting of flowers and birds by Shunkyo of the Ming Dynasty, famous as the "one flower worth a thousand gold pieces" peony.

[Nakayama Kiyota]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

群馬県館林(たてばやし)市にある曹洞(そうとう)宗の寺。山号は青竜山(せいりゅうざん)。本尊は釈迦牟尼(しゃかむに)仏。1468年（応仁2）青柳(あおやぎ)城主赤井正光(まさみつ)が建立、最乗寺の僧大林正通(だいりんしょうつう)を開山とした。1522年（大永2）には後柏原(ごかしわばら)天皇の勅願寺となる。江戸時代の朱印地は23石余。分福茶釜(ぶんぶくちゃがま)の伝説で知られる寺で、正通の従僧守鶴(しゅかく)が大法要のため出してきた茶釜の湯はいくら汲(く)んでも尽きることなく、福を分かつ分福茶釜と名づけられて有名になった。守鶴はムジナが化けたものとの伝説から、江戸時代におとぎ話にもなり、宝物館には分福茶釜、一花千金の牡丹(ぼたん)として有名な明(みん)国の舜挙(しゅんきょ)筆の花鳥墨画など寺宝多数がある。

［中山清田］

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