The origin of Kiokaji temple was built in 829. Unlike now, the principal
image was Kannon.
It became the abandoned temple before long. But, Buddhist priest,
Kakugyo rebuilt it in 1229. However, it was fired with a book by a battle.
It changed names and places. A monument of Jokoji Temple Ruins is built
in front of a building of the neighborhood called Farmarland.
The current Kiokaji temple became the Kioka Castle in 1335.
Yorishige Takamatsu, military commander of northern and southern dynasties,
built the castle. It is also called "Takamatsu Castle", and it
may be the origin of the place name of Furutakamatsu.
The castle, however, fell two times. In November, 1335, it
was attacked and fallen by Jozen Hosokawa, vassal of Takauji Ashikaga (the
person who opened the Muromachi Shogunate). It was the time of construction
of the castle, and whole family, except Yorishige died.
In 1585, it was fallen by vassals (Kuroda official soldiers of the
Imperial Guard) of Hideyoshi Toyotomi (the person who accomplished world
unification) by Invasion of Shikoku. Three graves of commanders, Karato
Danjo, Katayama Shima, Takamatsu Yorimura, are still inside the KiokaJI
temple.
Nine years later, in 1584, the present Kiokaji temple was
built. The principal image is Acala.
In autumn, a tea party is held every year in Kiokaji temple
and is concerned with a local people now.
A tanka that sang Kiokaji temple is left.
"Naru kane no Hibikiwataruka Azusayumi Yashima ni chikaki Oka no Furudera by Yamazaki Munenori"
(Ringing bell, it sounds around by catalpa bow, old temple
standing on the hill near Yashima)
shrine for the loyal dead
Shrine for Loyal dead is like a graveyard to hold a memorial service for
a fight in the Kioka Castle and the conventional Great War. There is the
monument about the Kioka Castle in that, too. The chief priest of the old
Kiokaji temple built it.
A memorial service of the war dead is held every year in spring. Because it is mentioned Kioka Castle and two history of the Great War, it is the historic spot where we can learn a lot. The feature of it is that the access is good because there is it near JR Yashima Station. A lot of historic spots concerning the competition between Genji and Heike are left near here, too.
