1. ANOTHER IDEOLOGY OF LAND RECLAMATION Chôgen, Ôbe Estate, and Sayama Pond Ôyama Kyôhei Kyôto University 1

2. Estates and Villages Chôgen restored Ôbe estate in Harima & Sayama (irrigation) pond in Kawachi A study of Ôbe estate enables understanding of shôen system A study of Sayama pond illuminates medieval villages & their religious life 2

3. Restoration of Sayama Pond, 1202 50 villages used Sayama pond for irrigation They asked Chôgen to repair it Sayama Pond & the villages it served (from Ôyama Kyôhei, Nihon chûsei no mura to kamigami, Iwanami shoten 2012) 3

4. Chôgen & Sayama Pond: Evidence Stone stele records Chôgen’s restoration of pond Stele refers to villages, not estates Village was setting for people’s daily lives (As opposed to estate which was political unit) Chôgen participated in people’s daily lives 4

5. History of Sayama Pond Aqueduct made of cedar logged in 616 shows it existed in 7th century Restored by Chôgen in 1202 & again in 1608 by Hideyoshi’s retainer Location of 7th & 17th century aqueducts indicate that water flowed in same direction during both periods 1608: 70-80 villages shared water from the pond--from Kawachi, Settsu, & Izumi, as in Chôgen’s day 5

6. Jôdoji on Ôbe Estate Jôdoji: 1 of 7 autonomous temples established by Chôgen Supported by lands on eastern portion of estate (middle terrace) Lower terrace to west: developed much earlier using Kako river water Chôgen developed middle terrace & made it into Jôdoji territory Lower terrace controlled by Tôdaiji 6

7. Restoring Sayama Pond Sayama restored by labor of “clergy and laypersons, men and women, novices and children, beggars and outcastes” (from Chôgen’s stone stele, 1202) People from bottom of society--beggars & outcastes--participated Old stone coffins from burial mounds were linked to form aqueducts Stonemasons from China were associated with Chôgen 7

8. Chôgen’s Good Works Chôgen left his mark on: –Tôdaiji –Heian-kyô, Iga province, Inland Sea region from Settsu to Suô: partly through his 7 autonomous temples – His influence extended to rest of E. Asia His “good works” intended to advance goal of peace & tranquillity in the realm 8

9. Chôgen & Shingon Esotericism Sayama stele includes Sanskrit characters representing 5 elements & mantra of light Basis of his thought: Shingon esotericism and its practical spirit Enlightened ideology at dawn of medieval age--> Chôgen’s public works projects 9

10. Monks and Public Works Projects As daikanjin, Chôgen solicited donations for Sayama pond restoration Assisted by Ban Amida Butsu, who was active on Mt. Kôya’s holding Ôta estate in Bingo province Similar figures, e.g. Mongaku (Kaseda estate in Kii province) Such religious figures embody an ideology of land reclamation 10