【Japan tourism】 Shikoku 88 temple pilgrimage trip [No.40] Heijyouzan Yakusiin Kanjizaiji

2023年3月30日2023年4月15日

Kanjizai-ji Temple is the first temple of the Bodhi Dojo (Iyo), and Kanjizai-ji Temple is the furthest from No. 1 Temple, Reizanji Temple, and is also called the “Back Checkpoint of the Sacred Sites of Shikoku".

Kanjizaiji

Principal image	Yakushi Nyorai
Honzon mantra	On korokoro sendari matougi sowaka
Denomination	Shingon Budhism Daikakuji sect

Place

Temple lodging： Be(20 People・Reservation required)

Phone：0895-72-0416

Gosyuin( red stamp)

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History

When Kobo Daishi visited this place in 807 (Daido 2), he prayed for Emperor Heijo’s recovery from illness. It is said that the Yakushi Nyorai statue, the Amida Nyorai statue, and the eleven-faced Kannon Bodhisattva statue were carved from a single sacred tree and enshrined. At this time, he carved a six-letter name, “Namu Amidabutsu," on the remaining sacred tree, and made a boat-shaped Hoban to pray for the relief of common people’s illnesses.

The area near the approach to the shrine prospered as a monzen-machi (temple town), with strong faith from Emperor Heijo and Emperor Saga. This land came to be called “Mishou Heijo".

In 1638 (Kanei 15), the Cloistered Imperial Prince Kuusyou of Daikakuji Temple in Kyoto stayed at the inn and was granted the name of 'Yakushiin’.

Although it was once prosperous, it was completely destroyed by fires several times, and was later rebuilt as a place of prayer for the Date family, the lords of the Uwajima domain. However, it was also destroyed by fire in the Meiji and Showa eras. The principal image miraculously escaped from the disaster, and the temple has been gradually restored to its current state.

Highlight

It is about 50 km (about 1.5 hours by car) to the next 41st bill place “Ryukoji"!