「貞照寺」
Do you know about Japanese temples? The main hall of Teishoji Temple seen through the gate has a calm and quiet appearance with the autumn leaves of the mountains in the background. At 4T-AMKY, Teachers and Students write about Japanese culture, food, history, many spots to visit, and other stuff. Enjoy reading and knowing about deeper Japanese culture!
Teishoji Temple
Origin
Teishoji Temple is a Shingon Buddhist temple founded in 1933 by Sadayakko Kawakami, Japan’s first actress. It is said that Sadayakko deeply believed that it was O-Fudo-sama (Acala) who protected her in difficult situations in her life. The temple was built in Unuma, Kakamigahara City, Gifu Prefecture, with private funds, modeled after the various halls and temples of the then Naritasan Shinshoji Temple (whose principal image is Acala).
Appearance
Teishoji Temple is located near the Kiso River, where one can feel the expanse of the sky, mountains, and the earth.
The gate is a Niomon gate, a massive gate with two statues of Kongorikishi enshrined.
Walking through the gate, the main hall, made of all hinoki cypress and built on a concrete foundation, is both novel and massive.
There are eight dohameita (panels) around the main hall, with carvings of spiritual experiences that Sadayakko is said to have encountered, saved by her faith in O-Fudo-sama during her lifetime.
This is one of them.
Sadayakko’s Later Years
Sadayakko retired from acting in 1917 on the seventh anniversary of her late husband Otojiro Kawakami’s death.
Afterward, it is said that Sadayakko had three dreams. The first was to work with Momosuke Fukuzawa, an old acquaintance, to accomplish the Kiso River Power Development Project. The second was to establish a silk weaving factory, which she had been familiar with since childhood. And the third was to create a children’s theater company.
Sadayakko, who accomplished all of them and built the temple of her dreams, ended her stormy life in 1946. Sadayakko’s remains are buried in a tomb on the hillside of Teishoji Temple.
Teishoji Temple Today
The temple was later administered by the Naritasan Nagoya Betsuin in 1960, and was extensively restored and operated as “Naritasan Teishoji Temple.” Various halls and temple buildings were registered as Tangible Cultural Properties of Japan in 2006. It is also well known as a temple for the improvement of various arts and performing arts.
「貞照寺」
縁起
貞照寺は、日本初の女優、川上貞奴が1933年（昭和8年）に開創した真言宗のお寺です。貞奴は、人生の苦難の場面で自分を守ってくれたのは、お不動様であると深く信仰していたそうです。当時の成田山新勝寺（ご本尊は不動明王）の諸堂伽藍を模して、私財を投じて岐阜県各務原市の鵜沼に建立しました。
佇まい
貞照寺は、木曽川近くの空と山と大地の広がりを感じる空間にあります。
山門は仁王門であり、二体の金剛力士像が安置された重厚な門です。
山門をくぐり歩いていくと、コンクリートの基礎の上に建つ総檜造りの本堂は、斬新でもあり重々しくもあります。
本堂の周囲には８面の堂羽目板があり、貞奴が生涯において不動尊信仰によって救われたとされる霊験記の彫刻が施されています。
その中の1枚です。
貞奴の晩年
亡き夫、川上音二郎の七回忌を機に、貞奴は1917年（大正6年）に女優を引退しました。
その後の貞奴の夢は三つあったのだそうです。一つ目は、旧知の間柄であった福沢桃介の木曽川電力開発事業を共に成し遂げること。二つ目は、子供のころから親しんだ絹織物の工場を作ること。そして三つ目は、児童劇団を作ることでした。
そのすべてを成し遂げて、念願のお寺を建立した貞奴は、1946年（昭和21年）に波乱の生涯を閉じました。貞奴の遺骨は貞照寺の山腹にある霊廟に葬られています。
今日の貞照寺
その後、お寺は1960年（昭和35年）に成田山名古屋別院が管理するところとなり、「成田山貞照寺」として大修復され、運営されています。諸堂伽藍は、2006年（平成18年）に国の有形文化財に登録されました。 諸芸上達、芸能の寺としても親しまれています。
Ikuyo.K.
