Gyotoku-ji
| Gyotoku-ji 行徳寺 | |
|---|---|
 Gyotoku-ji's Hondō (本堂) | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Jōdo Shinshū Ōtani-ha |
| Deity | Amida Nyorai (Amitābha) |
| Location | |
| Location | 825 Nishiakao, Nanto City, Toyama Prefecture |
| Country | Japan |
| Geographic coordinates | 36°22′49.39″N 136°52′14.51″E / 36.3803861°N 136.8706972°E |
| Architecture | |
| Founder | Akaono Doshu(赤尾道宗) |
Gyotoku-ji (行徳寺) is a Jōdo Shinshū temple located in the Nishiao district of Nanto City, Toyama Prefecture. It is one of the oldest Gokayama temples.
History
[edit]In the latter half of the Muromachi period, during the Bunmei (1392–1573), Rennyo(蓮如), the 8th head of Hongan-ji Temple, stayed at Yoshizaki-gobō in Echizen Province, which led to a rapid increase in Shinshū followers in the Hokuriku region, and the spread of Shinshū in earnest in the Gokayama area.[1][2] The first to extend their teachings to the Gokayama region was Wada Hongaku-ji Temple in Echizen Province, and there was a monk named Jotoku(浄徳) from Akaodani who was a follower of Hongakuji Temple.[3] The nephew of Jotoku was Akaono Doshu(赤尾道宗), a well-known Myokonin, and Doshu is positioned as the founder of Gyotoku-ji Temple.[4]
Although there are various traditions about Doso's origin and history in later times, there is no doubt that he was a contemporary of Rennyo, as he is often mentioned in Rennyo's writings.[5] Gyotoku-ji Temple still retains a six-character name sign in Rennyo's handwriting, and it seems that the predecessor of Gyotoku-ji Temple was formed by equipping it with these name signs.[6] In the “Kokoroe-nijyuichi-ka-jo(21rules)” which Doshu wrote on December 24, 1501, there is mention of a “dojo(道場),” indicating that a dojo, the predecessor of Gyotoku-ji, had been established at least before 1501.[7]
In 1864, at the end of the Edo period, the “Kuri”(a kitchen) was reconstructed, and this Kuri is still in use today.[8] Records of the construction of the Kuri remain, and like other buildings of the same period, it seems to have been done by a carpenter from Himi.[8]
“Kuri”(a kitchen) of this temple using “Gassho-zukuri” architecture was designated as a cultural asset by Nanto City.
Collection and Exhibition
[edit]- “Kokoroe-nijyuichi-ka-jo”(21rules) written by Akaono Doshu
- “Rennyo-goshosoku”(information about Rennyo Shonin)
References
[edit]Literature
[edit]- Toga village History Compilation Committee, ed. (2004). History of Toga village 1. Toga village.
- Taira village History Compilation Committee, ed. (1985). History of Taira village. Taira village.
- Nanto City Board of Education, ed. (2008). A bibliography of ancient literature in Gokayama-Kamitaira area. Nanto City Board of Education.