【Japan tourism】 Shikoku 88 temple pilgrimage trip [No.38] Sadazan Hudarakuin Kongouhukuji
Kongofukuji Temple is a large temple located on Cape Ashizuri, the southernmost tip of Shikoku. It takes about 80km from Iwamoto-ji Temple, the previous 37th temple, about 2 hours by car, but about 30 hours on foot, which takes 3 nights and 4 days.
It is the longest distance between the temples of Shikoku sacred grounds, and it is truly a “training dojo".
Kongouhukuji
| Principal image | Three-faced thousand-armed Kannon Bodhisattva |
| Honzon mantra | On bazaratarama kiriku |
| Denomination | Shingon Buddhism Buzan sect |
Place
Temple lodging： Be
Phone：0880-88-0038
〒787-0315
214-1 Ashizurimisaki, Tosashimizu City, Kochi Prefecture
Gosyuin(red stamp)
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History
Kobo Daishi visited this place in 822 (Konin 13) when he was 49 years old. Feeling that this was the place leading to Fudaraku, the sacred place where Kannon Bodhisattva resides, he made a report to Emperor Saga and built a temple according to his imperial request.
It is said that the temple was opened with a plaque inscribed with “Fudaraku East Gate," which is said to have been handwritten by Emperor Saga. Kobo Daishi carved a three-faced, thousand-armed Kannon, enshrined it, and named it Kongofukuji.
Emperor Saga, along with Kobo Daishi and Tachibana Hayanari, was one of the three calligraphers of the early Heian period!
During the Heian period, it became a place of imperial prayer for successive emperors and was revered by military commanders. In particular, the Genji clan has a strong devotion, and Minamoto no Mitsunaka built Tahoto pagoda, and his son Yorimitsu contributed to the restoration of various temples.
Around Cape Ashizuri, the “Ashizuri Seven Wonders" related to Kobo Daishi are told.
Highlight
【Shinnen-an】It takes 3-4 days, 30 hours, to walk from Iwamoto-ji Temple in Maefudasho to Kongofuku-ji Temple. Therefore, an inn for pilgrims was built in Tosashimizu City on the way, and the ruins remain.
It is said that Shinnen, who created the model for the pilgrimage in the Edo period, built it so that he could take a rest.
【garden】A hall is built around the pond, and the Tosa Goshiki Stones are reflected in the large pond, creating a landscape that looks like a mandala.
The area of the temple is 38,000 tsubo.
It is about 74 km (about 2 hours by car) to the next 39th bill place “Enkoji"!