“Fukunokawa” echoes faintly in the wind. It whispers tales of Kyoto’s past. Today we stand before the \u5ca1\u5d0e\u6771\u798f\u30ce\u5ddd\u753a\u5317\u5730\u8535\u5c0a.
This spot marks a place touched by history. It is linked to the Fukunokawa River. Once, a small river flowed near here. The area where we stand is called Fukunokawa. The name remains as a district name to this day.
Long ago, the Fukunokawa River flowed near Okazaki Jodoji. It was also near Okazaki Fukunokawa. This small river was once called “Fukuno-kawa”. Part of it was called “Nakayama”. Nakayama was known as a burial ground. Many memorial halls stood there.
The river’s path ran from Yoshidayama. It passed through Kamioyakamae. It then flowed via Kasuga Kitadori. Finally, it poured into the Lake Biwa Canal. Many old coins flowed in the riverbed. People then named it “Fukunokawa”. This translates roughly to “Good Fortune River.”
Around Nakayama were burial grounds. People buried the dead nearby. A custom involved putting six coins into coffins. The coins served as passage money for the journey to the afterlife. Over time, these coins washed into the river.
Notably, a monk named Son’i had ties to this area. In 876 AD, Son’i saw a hell painting at Yoshida Temple. Yoshida Temple was near Okazaki Fukunokawa. This vision inspired him to become a monk. He later became a protector monk for emperors.
There was also a Yoshida Temple in the Okazaki area. It may have been called “Nakayama Yoshida Temple”. It may have been called “Nakayama Kannon-do”. This temple served as a guardian for the Nakayama burial grounds.
The area’s history includes figures like Nakayama Tadanaga. He lived from 1132 to 1195. Minamoto no Yorimasa also had connections. He lived from 1104 to 1180. Their memorial halls once stood in Nakayama.
In 1668, Yoshida Temple became a derelict temple. Now, the Kanzeon standing statue resides in Konkai Komyo-ji Temple. Konkai Komyo-ji Temple is in Sakyo Ward. It is said to be the former principal image of Yoshida Temple.
As you stand here at the \u5ca1\u5d0e\u6771\u798f\u30ce\u5ddd\u753a\u5317\u5730\u8535\u5c0a, think about the Fukunokawa River. Recall the monks, emperors, and lives that have touched this place. This spot is a subtle reminder of Kyoto’s long and rich history.