◇“Joko-Ji” (Joko Temple) is located on “Oumusan” (Mt. Oumu) about 1,100 m (0.7 miles) east of the JR Chuo Line Joko-Ji Station (Japan Rail Company). It was opened in year 3 of the Kenmu era (about 650 years ago) by Kakugen-Zenji (Elementary-Way Zen-Master Kakugen) and belongs to the Myoushin-Ji faction of the Japanese Buddhist Rinzaishu sect. The approach to the temple from Joko-Ji Station is lined with green foliage, numerous waterfalls and interestingly shaped rocks and is known as “Arashiyama in Owari” (“Arashiyama” located near Kyoto is an area famous for its beautiful natural scenery; “Owari” was an old province of Japan before the establishment of prefectures in 1871 that is now the western half of the present day Aichi prefecture).
◇Mr. Chiba (later to become Kakugen-Zenji) was born in the Higo district of the current Kumamoto prefecture and was the first to civilize Oumusan. When he was born, his mother felt the spirit of “Jizo-Bosatsu” (the name of the Buddhist Saint of a guardian deity who specializes is saving stillborn and aborted children, expectant mothers, firemen, travelers, and pilgrims). Mr. Chiba left his home when he was nine years old to train at “Kamakurakencho-Ji” (Kencho Temple in Kamakura) where he became an Elementary-Way Zen-Master. When he was 54 years old he came to Owari and sat in Zen meditation in an unused lot in the city of Mizuno. Many people from near and far heard about him and became believers in his teachings. After five years so many people had become his believers that he decided to build a temple. One night, when the building site had been selected, all of Kakugen-Zenji’s monks had the same dream. They dreamt of a light, or brilliance, that emanated from the ground at the building site where a statue of a Buddha was dug up which they gave the name “Joko-Butsu” (the name “Jo-ko” is derived from the Japanese characters “jo” that can mean pre-determined or divine and “ko” that can mean light; “Butsu” is Japanese for Buddha). Because of this dream Kakugen-Zenji named the temple Joko-Ji and the mountain where it was built “Oumu-san” (“reply to a dream” and “mountain”).
A statue of Jizo-Bosatsu was placed in the main building of the temple where people can prey to it for ten different wishes such as a peaceful life, a long life and a safe childbirth. In the past when people made their wish they used to receive a statuette of “Sentai-Jizo-Son” (literally “1000 Jizos” which represents Jizo-Bostasu’s other selves) from the temple and returned it when their wish came true. However, nowadays people receive a small charm instead.
Joko-Ji’s many believers have included several prominent political leaders. About 350 years ago Yoshinao Tokugawa who was the governor of Owari visited the temple while traveling around Owari. He liked the temple so much that he decided to have his grave inside its grounds which is now called “Bihan-Sobyo.” Yoshinao appointed Chinese architect Chin Gen Pin (a naturalized Japanese citizen) to design his mausoleum which has become an important cultural asset along with the main building of the temple. The graves of nine of Yoshinao’s Samurai who killed themselves upon his death are located on the right side of his mausoleum where they seem to be protecting their master even after their deaths.
◇Note: Samurai were members of elite families who were servants to landowning aristocrats (the word “Samurai” is derived from the Japanese verb “to serve”). Samurai included many classes of servants, but perhaps the best known class in western culture is the warrior class famous for their swordmanship and code of honor which included “Seppuku” (ritual suicide). Seppuku was a demonstration of their honor, courage, loyalty and character and was preferred to a disgraceful death. Seppuku was also an expression of grief, affection and loyalty for all classes of Samurai upon the death of their master (this form of seppuku was called “oibara”). While suicide is not condoned in Japan today, it does not have the negative connotations that are common in western cultures. Many Japanese are still influenced by the concept of seppuku and believe that an honorable death is better than a disgraceful life.
●YOSHINAO TOKUGAWA BYO (YOSHINAO TOKUGAWA’S GRAVE)● Yoshinao Tokugawa was born the ninth child of Ieyasu Tokugawa, the first shogunate in the Edo era, and Soouin (his mother) on November 28, 1600 at Osaka Castle. Over the course of his life he was known by four different names: Gorota, Yoshitomo, Yoshitoshi and finally Yoshinao. He spent his youth in Sunpu (current Shizuoka Pref.) with his mother. On New Year Day 1603, he was appointed to rule over Kofu (current Yamanashi Pref.) and in March 1607 he occupied Kiyosu Castle after the death of Tadayoshi Matudaira who owned the castle. In 1610 he built Nagoya Castle where he lived and from which he ruled over Owari, Mino and Shinsyu (the current Aichi, Gifu and Nagano Prefs.). In 1616, after the death of his father (Ieyasu), he moved to Edo (current Tokyo). On May 3, 1626, Yoshinao was promoted to the higher rank of “Fuku-Shogun” (Vice-Shogun) and was the leader of all local governments. On May 7, 1650, when Yoshinao was 51 years old he passed away at his house in Edo.
◇HIGHLIGHTS OF YOSHINAO’S LIFE At the age of 15 he was praised by senior warriors for his braveness during the Osaka battle Yoshinao respected Kami (God), enjoyed learning and was devoted to martial art for which he never neglected to train himself He read many Japanese history books and learned about Imperial Family ceremonies He wrote several books including “Jingihoten,” “Ruijunihonki,” and “Shintoshoshu,” “Gunshoshi” and “Gunshogokan” which debates what determines the winner and looser and strongly suggests respect for nobility He also revised the books called “Seikoki” (Success Story), “Gonenpu” (Year Book), and “Gokeifu” (Family Tree) which clearly states the Tokugawa Family’s position in history Yoshinao occasionally visited Mizuno for hunting and decided to build his grave there were he loved nature On the 250th anniversary of Yoshinao’s death (May 7th in year 33 of the Meiji-era) the Emperor bestowed higher rank upon him as thanks for his work
●THE SUICIDES OF YOSHINAO’S FOLLOWERS AFTER HIS DEATH● ◇NOTE: THE FOLLOWING CONTAINS GRAPHIC DESCRIPTIONS OF SUPPUKU. The usual method to carry out seppuku was for the Samurai to sit with their legs folded under their upper body and cut open their stomach from left to right with a short sword (the Japanese common language form for ritual suicide is “Hara-kiri” which literally means “stomach cutting”). Because this is a particularly painful method of suicide, a “kaishaku” (assistant who was generally a close friend or associate) was present to help end the suicide quickly. The Samurai would tuck their sleeves under their knees to help them fall forward after slicing open their belly. After they fell forward the kaishaku could quickly cut off their head to end their suffering as soon as they noticed their face expressing pain. Attendants, or “kenshi” (inspectors) would usually also be present to witness the seppuku and report it results.
◇TERAO TOSANORI NAOMASA. Yoshinao liked Naomasa so much that when he served his master as a young man he was allowed to work with senior servants. Following Yoshinao’s death Naomasa was saddened so much that he wrote his will in preparation of his suicide. Hyosuke Yagyu (later called Hyogo) helped Naomasa with his suicide. Hyosuke was criticized by many who witnessed Naomasa’s suicide for leaving his head attached to his torso by a piece of skin. However, people who knew the tradition praised his work because the head of a guilty person should be cut off completely, but the head of an innocent person should not (but be left attached by a small piece of shin). Naomasa was 47 years old at the time of Yoshinao’s death.
◇SUZUKI SYUDEN SHIGEYUKI. Shigeyuki was very close to his master and carried out his suicide with the help of Shinzaemon Kose. He first inserted his sword in his left chest and the pulled it down to his right waste. Then, still holding the sword in his right hand inserted it in his right chest and then switched holding the sword to his left hand and pulled it down to his left waste. The resulting wounds fully exposed his intestines. This was such a glorious sight for Shinzaemon Kose that he had tears in his eyes as he cut off Shigeyuki’s head. Shigeyuki was 32 years old at the time of Yoshinao’s death.
◇SHIMIZU HACHIROZAEMON MASAAKI. Masaaki killed himself upon Yoshinao’s death with the help of Chubei Toda when he was 30 years old.
◇TSUCHIYA YOSHINOJO MOTOTAKA. Mototaka was not included in Yoshinao’s inner circle and it was not expected that he would kill himself. However, he wanted to respond to his master’s kindness and asked Hanbei Suzuki to help him with his suicide. Mototaka inserted his sword in the top of his head, and then moved the sword around to different areas inside his head. He wanted to experience the pain that his master suffered from his illness as well as showing his respect to his master. Some people believe that Mototaka was thankful to his master who promoted him to Samurai. Mototaka was 63 years old at the time of Yoshinao’s death.
◇SUZUKI TAHEI HOZUMI SHIGEHARU. Shigeharu was a master of hawking (hunting with hawks). One day while Shigeharu was hawking with Yoshinao he noticed that his master’s hands were very cold and he placed them on his chest under his cloths to warm them up. Yoshinao was very pleased by this and told Shigeharu that he wanted to take him to heaven with him. Shigeharu never forgot what his master told him and killed himself to show his loyalty when Yoshinao died.
When Shigeharu heard about his master’s illness, he left for Edo with his son even though he himself was ill. Shigeharu told his son that if he died on the way to Edo, his son should go to Edo and kill himself for his master. If Shigeharu was able to arrive in Edo alive and kill himself, then his son should go back to his homeland to succeed his father. Fortunately, Shigeharu arrived in Edo alive and was able to die with his master. Seijuro Yoshida helped with Shigeharu’s suicide. Shigeharu was 51 years old at the time of Yoshinao’s death.
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