Tojuin Temple等澍院

Lingering History of the Development of Eastern Ezo

東蝦夷開拓の歴史を残す

This temple was established in 1806 by the Edo Shogunate.
Together with Zenkoji in Usu and Kokutaiji in Akkeshi, it is referred to as one of the "Ezo Sankanji" (Three Government Temples of Ezo).

1806年に江戸幕府が建立した寺院。
有珠の善光寺、厚岸の国泰寺と共に「蝦夷三官寺」と呼ばれています。

During a time when sakoku (national isolation) and the prohibition of Christianity were fundamental aspects of society, hearsay told that Russia was propagating Christianity among the Ainu of the Kuril Islands. Meanwhile, Wajin (mainland Japanese) settlements were increasing throughout Eastern Ezo. This temple was built to provide a place of spiritual guidance for people in the region.

鎖国とキリシタン禁制が社会の根本だった当時、ロシアが千島アイヌにキリスト教を広めているという伝聞があったこと、東蝦夷の各地に和人の集落が増え、人々の心のよりどころが必要とされたことから建てられました。

Tojuin Temple depicted in "View of Samani, Eastern Ezo", Samani Folk Museum Collection

「東蝦夷シャマニ之景」に描かれた等澍院／様似郷土館所蔵

Goma-do (Hall for burning holy sticks of invocation)

護摩堂

In Samani, although there are no confirmed records that the temple carried out missionary work toward the Ainu, it is documented that Ainu people were invited to the transfer ceremony of the guardian deity upon the temple's establishment, and that sake was served to Ainu guests at the consecration ceremony during the relocation of the temple.

様似では、アイヌ民族に布教が行われたという記録は今のところ確認されていませんが、建立の際に行われた勧請供養にはアイヌが招かれたり、移転の際の入仏式ではアイヌに酒が振る舞われたりしたという記録があります。

Historical documents of Tojuin Temple (Nationally-designated Important Cultural Property)

等澍院古文書（国指定重要文化財）

About this place