【Japan tourism】 Shikoku 88 temple pilgrimage trip [No.63] Mikkyouzan Taizouin Kitijyouji
Kichijoji is the only temple in Shikoku sacred grounds that enshrines Bishamonten as the principal image.
Kitijyouji
| Principal image | Bishamonten |
| Honzon mantra | On beishiramandaya sowaka |
| Denomination | Shingon Buddhism Touji sect |
Place
宿坊： none
Phone：0897-57-8863
〒793-0072
1048 Himi Otsu, Saijo City, Ehime Prefecture
Gosyuin(red stamp)
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History
When Kobo Daishi made a pilgrimage to this place, he found a cypress tree that emits light, and carved a statue of Bishamonten from that sacred tree. In addition, it is said that the temple was founded by engraving and enshrining a statue of Kichijoten and a statue of Zennishi Doji as attendant samurai.
At that time, the temple was located on Mt. Sakamoto, southeast of the current location, and had 21 temples and towers in a large temple territory. However, in 1585 (Tensho 13), it was caught up in the Shikoku attack by Toyotomi Hideyoshi and the whole mountain was destroyed. In 1659 (Manji 2), it merged with Hinoki-dera Temple, which was a branch temple, and was relocated to its current location and rebuilt.
One of the temple treasures is the Korai ware Maria Kannon statue (not open to the public). It is said that this was given to Motochika Chosokabe by the captain of the Spanish ship that was wrecked off the coast of Tosa.
Motochika didn’t know that it was a statue of Mary, and it was handed down from generation to generation as “a beautiful Kannon statue like Kichijoten". It is said that it survived the Tokugawa shogunate’s ban on Christianity and has been handed down to this day.
Highlight
【Kuguri Kitijyou celestial maiden】There is a legend that if you pass under it, you will get rid of all kinds of poverty and be blessed with good fortune.
【fulfillment stone】It is said that if you walk from the main hall with your eyes closed and pass a cane through the hole while chanting a wish, your wish will come true. It is a stone with a height of about 1 m, and a hole with a diameter of more than 30 cm is drilled in the lower center.
【Bishamonten】Of the four heavenly kings, he is the Buddha who controls the north and brings benefits to this world.
The temple also preserves the Kamakura period’s “Juniten Byobu" and the Muromachi period’s “Yamagoe Amida Sanzonzo".
It is about 3 km (about 10 minutes by car) to the next 64th bill place “Maegamiji"!