【Japan tourism】 Shikoku 88 temple pilgrimage trip [No.57] Hutousan Muryoujyuin Eifukuji

2023年4月3日2023年4月15日

Eifukuji has been worshiped since ancient times as a temple to pray for safety on land and sea and longevity, since Kobo Daishi held a memorial service for the god of the sea in this area where maritime accidents are frequent.

Title

1. Eifukuji
- 1.1. Place
- 1.2. Gosyuin(red stamp)
2. History
3. Highlight

Eifukuji

Principal image	Amida Nyorai
Honzon mantra	On amirita teiseikara un
Denomination	Kouyasan Shingon Buddhism

Place

Temple lodging： none

Phone：0898-55-2432

〒794-0114　200 Hachimanko, Tamagawa-cho, Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture

Gosyuin(red stamp)

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History

At the beginning of the ninth century, Kobo Daishi made a pilgrimage to this area at the request of Emperor Saga. In this sea near the coast of the Seto Inland Sea, there were constant marine accidents, and Kobo Daishi prayed for peace in the wind and waves at Mt. Futo and held a Goma memorial service. It is said that on the day of the full wish, the sea becomes calm and the hall was built around the principal image of Amida Nyorai, which appeared from the sea with a dazzling light.

In 859, Gyokyo Shonin of Daian-ji Temple entrusted Hachiman Daibosatsu and built Katsuoka Hachimangu Shrine, a syncretism of Shintoism and Buddhism, within the precincts of the temple. This Hachimangu Shrine is called “Iyo no Iwashimizu Hachimangu Shrine".

Gyokyo Shonin was sailing in the Seto Inland Sea to build a branch shrine of Usa Hachimangu in Chikugo on Mount Otokoyama in Kyoto. On the way, he met a storm and rain and was washed ashore. This was a coincidence, but surprisingly, Mt. Futou resembled Mt.Otoko. And since the Principle image was also Amida Nyorai, the main Buddha of Hachimangu, the foundation of Katsuoka Hachimangu was realized.

Eifuku-ji Temple was relocated to its current location halfway up the mountain after the separation of Shintoism and Buddhism in the early Meiji period. The temple became uninhabited for a while, but with the support of the people in the neighborhood, it has survived to the present day.

Highlight

The 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac are carved on the pillars of the Daishido. Issun-boushi etc. are also carved in the main hall, and it is a pleasure to see the details.

【boy’s box car】It is said that in 1933 (Showa 8), a boy with a disability was dedicated to this place along with his cane, saying that his leg had healed. It seems that he became able to walk when he was pulled by the dog he was with and fell.