“Nine Shaku four sides” says an old inscription. It refers to the dimensions of a bell tower at Joko-ji Temple.
Let’s delve into the story of Joko-ji Temple. It is a Soto Zen Buddhist temple. Its mountain name is Shoryuzan. The temple is known as Joko-ji. It is located in Machida City.
Joko-ji was founded by Shoshitsu Eiki. He lived from 1573 to 1592. It received an official seal in the Keian era. That was between 1648 and 1652. This seal granted the temple certain land rights.
According to the “Shinpen Musashi Fudoki Kō”, the temple grounds covered 1751 Tsubo. This area was in the Aza-Sawato region. Joko-ji belonged to the Eiun-ji Temple in Hazawa. Eiun-ji was later associated with Yōrin-ji Temple. Yōrin-ji was in Fukui City.
The principal image of Joko-ji is a wooden seated statue of Shaka Buddha. It is about one Shaku in height. The main hall measures eight and a half Ken by seven Ken. It faces south. The temple received a seal granting it nine Koku and four To of land. This happened during the Keian era.
The bell tower once housed a bell from the Genroku era. The Yakushi-do hall featured a wooden seated statue of Yakushi. It was eight Sun tall and attributed to Gyoki Bodhisattva. An Inari shrine measured five Ken by three Ken. These details come from the “Shinpen Musashi Fudoki Kō”.
According to the “Machida City History”, Joko-ji’s mountain temple name was once Iōzan. Now it is Shoryuzan Joko-ji.
The main hall is a tiled flat-roofed building. It spans nine Ken in width and five Ken in depth. The front canopy has a Tang gable roof. It was rebuilt in 1960 by Ichimon Sect.
The temple also has a Shoin building covering 48 Tsubo. It was relocated and rebuilt by the Motohara family. That happened in 1867.
The temple grounds cover 1207 Tsubo. A Jizo statue is enshrined there. Local people deeply revere it. This is the Boat-shaped Parent-Child Jizo from the Keian era.
While the “Fudoki Kō” mentions a Yakushi-do hall and Inari shrine, they no longer exist. The Yakushi statue was a wooden seated figure. It was eight Sun tall and said to be made by Gyoki.
Joko-ji’s serene presence and historical significance make it a unique spot. The temple offers a glimpse into the past. It also provides a peaceful escape. It is a place of reflection and cultural heritage. The Soto Zen tradition continues to thrive here.
Remember to explore the temple grounds. Take in the details of the main hall. Consider the history held within this sacred space.