Maniac(geek) place Morinji
Morinji -Shukaku’s temple-
Morinji is a Sōtō-shū sect temple in Tatebayashi, established in 1468 by Bishop Masamichi Obayashi during his journey, on land (66,000㎡) donated by Lord Akaishi.
The temple is famous for the legend of the Bunbuku Chagama—“bunbuku” meaning “sharing good fortune” and “chagama” meaning “tea kettle.”
A golden tea kettle said to be the one from the legend is still on display at the temple.
According to the temple legend, Shukaku met Bishop Masamichi in Ikaho before 1426 and served as an attendant to several successive bishops of Morinji. It is said that he worked for generations of hereditary abbots.
In 1570, Gesshū Sōko(Osho) Ⅶ held thousand buddhist memorial service.The gold tea kettle which was brought by Shukaku served large amount of hot water for one thousand cup of tea without pouring additional water.
Thereafter,in 1587 during the time of Gesshū Tenan (the 10th abbot), Shukaku was found sleeping—his true form revealed as a raccoon dog, with a furry tail and beast-like legs. Realizing he could no longer remain at the temple, Shukaku expressed his sorrow by conjuring two miraculous visions:
one depicting the Genpei War (the battles of Yashima and Dan-no-ura), and the other showing the sacred preaching of Shakyamuni Buddha.
As the people were moved to tears by the spectacle, Shukaku transformed into a raccoon dog and flew away. It was on the 28th day of February, in the fifteenth year of Tenshō (1587).
It had been 161 years since Shukaku first lived with the founder, Masamichi Obayashi, in a small hermitage in Ikaho.
According to legend, that very hermitage still stands beside the Hondo (main hall) of the temple.
Yu-pon was told by Uncle Nick that this legend is about Innin—a form of covert intelligence work carried out by ninjas known as Kusa.
Kusa were a type of ninja who gathered information by living as ordinary residents in areas where feudal lords were engaged in power struggles or in other strategically important locations.
The houses where these Kusa lived were called Ninja-damari (places where ninjas gathered), and they also served as lodgings for traveling ninjas.
According to the story, Shukaku is said to have lived for 161 years—suggesting that a succession of Kusa ninjas may have continued to play the role of Shukaku, using exceptional skills in disguise.
These circumstances are what turned the tale into a legend.
In 1471, Tatebayashi was attacked by the Uesugi army, and later the region was invaded by the Takeda of Kai and the Hōjō of Odawara. Tatebayashi, situated at a strategic crossroads, fell under the influence of the Uesugi, Tokugawa, Hōjō, and Takeda clans throughout its history. Among them, it was particularly sensitive to the movements of Uesugi forces advancing southward. A temple worker was inconspicuous within the local community, making the position ideal for the covert activities of Kusa ninjas.
Finally Tokugawa family dominated the country in 1590 and it indicated the end of Shukaku’s legend.
Lastly Yu-pon want to point out that Shukaku used Wazuma Magic and group hypnosis which famous ninja Flying Kato(Kato Danzo) worked on the same magic in front of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, Uesugi Kenshin and Takeda Shingen, also said Kashin-koji did hypnotize art which is regarded as the same thing in record.
When Tokugawa had the establishment to dominate in Tatebayashi, Kusa ninja must be close his mission which was already over. That is the only one thing to say that last Shukaku must be a tremendous master of witchcraft.
By the way, Shukaku is Gaara’s Jinchuuriki in the world of Naruto.But,This Shukaku’s story is handed down since ancient times at Morinji.
Visiting with that understanding makes the experience even more enjoyable. The tanuki statues along the temple path are adorable.
Access
| Name; | Morinji |
| Place; | 1570 Horikucho Tatebayashi-shi Gumma Prefecture |
| By train; | Tobu Isesaki Line, about 10 minutes on foot from morinji station |
| By car; | From Tohoku Expressway, Tatebayashi Interchange, Route 345 towards Tatebayashi approximately 3.5 km, Turn left at the Muromachi intersection and 800 m. Turn right at Horiba-cho intersection and about 1.2 km |
