A secluded temple celebrating the principal vassal of Akizuki Tanezane.
Narutokannon Temple is located on the final resting place of Eri Nobutaka (the principal vassal of Akizuki Tanezane), who came to a bloody end in 1587.
Nobutaka’s unfortunate death came from a conflict between Akizuki Tanezane and Toyotomi Hideyoshi. During the preparations for battle, Nobutaka was sent by Tanezane to spy on Hideyoshi’s camp. There, Nobutaka was told the Akizuki clan should surrender to Hideyoshi and forsake their alliance with the Shimazu clan. In return, the Akizuki clan would receive the provinces of Chikuzen and Chikugo.
Nobutaka returned with the message for Akizuki Tanezane, along with a warning of the strength of Hideyoshi’s army. However Akizuki refused to give up his seven generation alliance with the Shimazu clan. Nobutaka was ridiculed for suggesting surrender and he and his family committed seppuku (ritual suicide) upon a nearby rock.
After Nobutaka’s advice was ignored, Toyotomi Hideyoshi swept to victory and entered Akizuki. It is said that when Kuroda Nagaoki arrived in the town, he was so impressed by Nobutaka’s loyalty that he constructed the temple above Nobutaka’s gravestone.
The temple is named after “naruto” (referencing the flowing river) and Kannon, the goddess of mercy who is enshrined there.
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