Stories of the Japanese 01290 [Muromachi/Yoshimochi Period] Regulation of Temples
Recently, I have been frequently visiting and photographing historical sites from the Sengoku period, but I really need to organize my photo folders properly. If I try to pick up the Sengoku period in this article and upload it, I feel like I will lose track of where those photos went.
As mentioned above, Yoshimochi had a strict personality similar to Tadayoshi and stood firmly against illegal acts.
This is symbolized by the 11-article letter of reprimand issued on October 4, 1414 (the 21st year of Oei) to the warrior monks of Kofuku-ji Temple (known as the Roppo-shu). Yoshimochi listed 11 points of their illegal activities and ordered them to 'submit a written oath of repentance promising not to engage in such behavior hereafter.'
The 11 articles of illegal activities are as follows:
・Destroying others' residences for no reason other than personal dislike
・Scheming, harassing the local people around Kofuku-ji, and extorting money
・Forcibly collecting funds for building construction
・Using authority to force the creation of documents and seizing interests
・Despite being in the Buddhist priesthood, favoring martial prowess and using swords to cause injury
・Plotting evil deeds and forming leagues (ikki)
・Disobeying and violating the rulings of the Shogunate
・Having jinin (shrine/temple servants) and kunin (public officials) reprimand others when performing unscrupulous collections
・Conducting arbitrary trials without the Shogunate's judgment, causing confusion
・Violating the territory of Todai-ji Temple and destroying residences
・Treating the local people belonging to Kofuku-ji like private servants, and engaging in money collection and human trafficking
My goodness, one can see just how terrible the warrior monks of Kofuku-ji were. Such outrageous behavior had likely been overlooked until now under the umbrella of Kofuku-ji's authority, but the earnest Yoshimochi could not let it slide.
Many of the Roppo-shu hurriedly submitted written oaths, and those who refused were exiled to Echigo or Sado.
To jump ahead in time a little, I might as well mention that on June 1, 1416 (the 23rd year of Oei), Yoshimochi personally went to Shokoku-ji Temple to conduct a search and confiscated hidden weapons. Originally, the carrying of weapons by temples was supposed to have been prohibited since the Kamakura period, but it was hardly ever observed.
Following this, several dozen people were arrested and placed in the custody of Isshiki Yoshitsura (1400–1440). Furthermore, on June 19, Isshiki Yoshitsura searched Shokoku-ji, and 45 people were arrested at once for the crimes of disorderly conduct and eating fish; they were exiled after being tortured.
The Muromachi Shogunate has an image of deeply protecting temples and shrines, and Yoshimochi was a person of particularly deep faith among the successive Shoguns. However, it was precisely because of his deep faith that Yoshimochi strengthened the regulation of temples.
When writing about the Muromachi period, the clans that appear frequently (such as the Yamana, Akamatsu, and Isshiki) for some reason hardly play an active role in the Sengoku period. They must have perished at some stage, but I am continuing to write while focusing on when and how that happened.