Morinji -Shukaku(守鶴)’s temple-
Morinji is Sōtōshu sect temple in Tatebayashi and was established by Masamichi Obayashi Sojo (bishop) with 66000 ㎡ land donated from Lord Akaishi in 1468 during his journey. There is a legend of Bunbuku Chagama (Bunbuku means share a good luck, Chagama means tea kettle),and a gold Chagama is still displayed in the temple.
Shukaku met Bishop Masamichi at Ikaho before 1426 and had been an attendant to multiple Bishops of Morinji. It is said that Shukaku had worked for hereditary bishops.
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. After later,in 1587 in time of Gesshū Tenan(Osho)Ⅹ, Shukaku in sleep was look a like sleeping raccoon dog with tail and legs covered with hair of beast. He realized that he can’t stay there anymore and in regretting his departure,he showed two reproduced scenes that the Genpei War(Yashima and Dannoura) and the holy preach of Shakyamuni Buddha. While people were impressed with his act and went in tears, Shukaku became a raccoon dog then flied away.
It was Tensho15(1587) Feb 28th.
It had been 161 years since Shukaku lived with the founder Masamichi Obayashi in the small hermitage in Ikaho. That is the legend. The hermitage that Shukaku lived in is standing next to Hondo (main temple building) still.
Yu-pon was taught Uncle Nick that this legend is about Innin, work of ninja by the name of Kusa. Kusa is one kind of ninja who gather information by way of living like local resident strategically at the field where power struggle between feudal lords is taking place or important place strategically. Living house of the Kusa was called Ninja-damari(a place where ninjas gather) and served as a place to stay for ninja who were moving around.
According to the story, Shukaku lived 161 years implying some Kusa ninjas must have continued to play a roll of Shukaku with good skill of disguise. Those conditions made it a legend.
Tatebayashi Castle was established by Akai family, then in year 1471 Uesugi Army attacked this castle and after that Takeda of Kai and Hojo of Odawara invaded this area. This period just fit Shukaku’s legend.
A temple employer is inconspicuous enough in local and it is ideal for Kusa’s profession. 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.
Visiting this temple with understand the legend must be a fun. And looking many raccoon statues also is fun. Shukaku is Gaara’s Jinchuuriki in the world of Naruto.But,This Shukaku’s story is handed down since ancient times at Morinji.
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 |
