【Japan tourism】Shikoku 88 temple pilgrimage [No.10] Tokudosan Kanjyouin Kirihata-ji
Kirinji Temple is located on the hillside of Kiriyama. The legend of the daughter of a textile is known as a famous temple.
Kirihata-ji
| Principal image | Senju Kannon Bodhisattva |
| Honzon mantra | On bazaratarama kiriku |
| Denomination | Koyasan Shingon Buddhism |
Place
Official site： none
Temple lodging：none
Phone：0883-36-3010
〒771-1623 徳島県阿波市市場町切幡字観音129
Goshuin(red seal)
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History
The name of the temple comes from the legend of a weaving girl, and it is known as a temple for women to attain Buddhahood.
When Kobo Daishi visited Shikoku on a tour of Shikoku, he asked a weaving girl for a piece of cloth to mend the monk’s robe, and he generously cut the cloth he was weaving and gave it to him. Kobo Daishi was deeply moved by this and when he heard his daughter’s wish, she said that she wanted to enter the Buddhist priesthood.
「My father was exiled to an island in connection with the Kusuko Incident in the capital. The mother is pregnant, and if a boy is born, the child will also be punished. I prayed to Shimizu Kannon to give birth to a girl. I was born like that. I want to create and enshrine Kannon in place of my late parents, and I want to enter the Buddhist priesthood.」 Her said this.
So Kobo Daishi carved a statue of Senju Kannon and made his daughter enter the priesthood. It is said that the daughter immediately transformed into Kannon Bodhisattva while emitting light. After telling this to Emperor Saga, Kobo Daishi built a hall. It is said that he enshrined the Senju Kannon, which he carved himself, facing south, and the statue of his daughter Kannon, facing north, as the principal image of worship.
Highlight
After climbing 333 steps of about 800m, you will finally reach the main hall. The large pagoda that stands above the main hall is also designated as a national important cultural property and is a highlight.
【Hatakiri kannon】The bronze statue holds scissors in its right hand and a long piece of cloth in its left hand.
It is said that the maiden became a sokushinbutsu and incarnated into Kannon Bodhisattva.
【Kirihata-ji great tower】 The space between Hatsushige and Niju is square, and it is the only structural style in Japan, and it is a nationally designated cultural property.
It was built by Toyotomi Hideyori in memory of Hideyoshi.
In 1873, It was relocated from Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine in Sakai, Osaka.It is said that it took 10 years to complete.
It is about 12 km (about 35 minutes by car) to the next 11th bill place “Fujiidera"!