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Daikoin Temple

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ページID:0002406 更新日:2022年12月6日更新 印刷ページ表示

daikoin This magnificent temple was built in 1613 by Ieyasu Tokugawa, the first Shogun of the Tokugawa Shogunnate. It is dedicated to Yoshishige Nitta who was the founder of the Nitta family. He was one of the strongest lords of the manors in the northern Kanto district. Ieyasu was a descendant of the Nitta family and a supporter of the Jodo sect. He hoped to build a temple for them, so he sent for a chief priest. The priest’s name was Donryu. In those days, people lived in poverty and had great difficulty raising their children, so Donryu decided to help them by taking in their children at the temple and educating them until they reached the age of 7. In order to look after them, he spent government aid, but it was against the rules.

We call Daikoin Temple “Kosodate Donryu” which means “taking care of children”.

Today, people still visit Daikoin temple to pay respect to Donryu's generosity on special days. Some of them are:

l Setsubun ? The day before the beginning of spring

l The Great Tea Ceremony

l The Azalea Festival

l The Chrysanthemum Festival

l 7 ? 5 ? 3 - A special day to pray for the health and happiness of children aged 7, 5, and 3.

l The bell toll on New Year’s Eve - It is rung 108 times to remove our 108 worldly desires

And if you have the chance, you can consult an oracle or even purchase amulets. Also, “Benzaiten” the Hindu goddess of music, eloquence, wealth and wisdom is enshrined at Daikoin. If you are interested in graveyards, you can find Donryu’s grave in an obscure place. It is always bestrewn with flowers.