During the early modern period, Hakone-yama Tōfukuji inline graphic was a major Kogi Shingon inline graphic center in southwestern Sagami province. In the early seventeenth century, it had been awarded 200 koku by shogunal decree (goshuininline graphic) for administering the shrine (sharyōinline graphic) dedicated to Hakone Gongen inline graphic, the divinity of Mt. Hakone. The complex was also designated as one of thirty-four Kogi Shingon academies (dangishoinline graphic) in the Kantō region. Kongōōin inline graphic, one of seven cloisters (tatchūinline graphic) at the site, served as the intendant (bettōinline graphic) of Hakone Gongen. Six ritual clerics (gusōinline graphic) staffed the other six cloisters located just below the Hakone Gongen shrine. Also associated with the complex was a contingent of six shrine priests (shanininline graphic) and fifteen Honzanha inline graphic and Tōzanha inline graphic Shugenja inline graphic—three residing in the town and twelve others in nearby villages.1 During the early Meiji campaign to disassociate kami and buddhas (shinbutsu bunriinline graphic), a combinative site of such complexity became a major target for restructuring. Along with the other clerics, the Hakone intendant laicized, took the name Hakone Tarō, and became the head shrine priest of the Shinto institution newly established at the site in the early Meiji period. The former temple precincts and temple buildings were turned over to him as private holdings, but he eventually sold both off to other laymen.2 Two Tōzanha Shugenja laicized; the other joined the Shingon school as a cleric in 1872.3 Honzanha Shugenja had similar options: [End Page 83] laicize or join the Tendai school as Buddhist clerics. What happened to the Edo-period shrine priests is unclear.
