【Japan tourism】Shikoku 88 temple pilgrimage trip [No.33] Kouhukuzan Skkeiji
Seskei-ji Temple is located about 4km west of where the bronze statue of Ryoma Sakamoto stands. It is the birthplace of Nangaku, a sect of Neo-Confucianism, and has produced many outstanding Confucian scholars.
Sekkeiji
| Principal image | Yakushi Nyorai |
| Honzon mantra | On korokoro sendari matougi sowaka |
| Denomination | Rinzai Buddhism Myousinji sect |
Place
Official site： none
Temple lodging：Be
Phone：088-837-2233
〒781-0270
857-3 Nagahama, Kochi City, Kochi Prefecture
Goshuin(red seal)
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History
It is said to have been founded by Kobo Daishi between 782 and 806. Originally, it was a Shingon sect and was called Kofuku-ji.
During the Kamakura period, the famous Buddhist sculptors Unkei and Tankei stayed at this temple. Unkei created the Yakushi Nyorai statue as the principal image and Nikko and Gekko Bodhisattva statues as side attendants, while Tankei created Bishamonten and Kichijotenjo statues, and renamed the temple 'Keiunji’. The origin of the temple name comes from the names of Unkei and Tankei.
Geppou Osho restored this temple, which was devastated during the Warring States period and was in danger of being abandoned. Chosokabe Motochika, a Sengoku feudal lord of Tosa who was on good terms with the priest, changed it to the Rinzai sect.
After Motochika passed away, it became the family temple of the Chosokabe family, and the name was changed from Motochika’s Buddhist name to 'Sekkeiji.’ “Sekkeiji" is the third name.
Tenshitsu, the chief priest of the Edo period, was active in the education of the Kainan school of Neo-Confucianism in Southern school.
Highlight
【Taigen Pagoda・Genpo Pagoda】A memorial tower for the 17th chief priest, Mr. Taigen Yamamoto, who restored the temple, which was abandoned due to Haibutsu Kishaku.
It is also a memorial tower for the 18th head priest, Mr. Genpo, who was saved by Taigen when he was on the 7th pilgrimage barefoot while suffering from an eye disease that almost blinded him.
It is about 8 km (about 20 minutes by car) to the next 34th bill place “Tanema Temple"!