九島院

In 1670, a dramatic scene unfolded at Kyūtoin Temple in Osaka. Kyūtoin, a serene Obaku Zen Buddhist temple, stood peacefully amidst the bustling city. It was a place of quiet contemplation, a stark contrast to the drama about to occur. The temple had been established years earlier, in 1633, on reclaimed land in the Ajigawa River delta by the samurai Yamanouchi Iccho. Its founder, Ryōnen Zenji, was a revered figure, even holding the prestigious title of “High Priest of the Great Orthodox Zen School” bestowed upon him by Emperor Go-Mizunoo. He was invited to Kyūtoin to conduct an important ceremony, the Kaidan Hōyō. This ceremony marked the temple’s official designation as a place for Buddhist ordination. As Ryōnen Zenji preached, a large sea turtle, its shell adorned with flowers, emerged from the bay. The turtle seemed to offer blessings to the gathered crowd. This auspicious event filled the people with joy. However, tragedy soon followed. A sudden, violent typhoon descended upon Osaka Bay. Kyūtoin Temple, situated precariously on the edge of the bay, bore the full brunt of the storm surge. Ryōnen Zenji, engrossed in his sutras, remained seated. He calmly accepted his fate, lost to the raging waves. The sea turtle, its blessing turned to mourning, was said to have vanished beneath the turbulent waters. The tragic tale of Ryōnen Zenji is still whispered at Kyūtoin today. His grave, marked with the inscription “Daiō Tsūshō”, stands within the temple grounds. It serves as a solemn reminder of the day nature’s fury intertwined with Kyūtoin’s history.