Shaku Soen |
Some temples and shrines that had increased power since the end of Heian period, obtained extraterritorial rights and those who ran into there were exonerated from sins they committed. Meanwhile, Tokeiji eventually got to be known as a sanctuary for women seeking divorce rather than for the accused. It is recorded that the Tokugawa Shogunate granted a subsidy to the temple in the Edo period (1603-1868). While other temples were losing their privilege as a sanctuary, Tokeiji alone has succeeded it for nearly 600 years. One can tell how women of that period needed this institution.
In March 1871, Tokeiji applied for continuing its law, however that was rejected by the Meiji government in July of the same year. |
In May 1873, women finally became able to sue for divorce by themselves after Tokeiji's law was taken over to court by "Civil Rights". After the end of Tokeiji's role as a sanctuary, Furukawa Gyodo became the chief priest, the first male priest of the temple, in 1903.
Subsequently, Tokeiji was changed to a Zen training hall by Shakusoen. When he passed way at the age 61 in 1919, the title of "Tokeiji Chuko Kaizan" was conferred to him. Today, Masamichi Inoue has been the fifth chief priest since 1983. |
TOKEIJI (the end of the Meiji period) |
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