【Japan tourism】 Shikoku 88 temple pilgrimage trip [No.44] Sugouzan Daikakuin Daihouji

2023年3月14日2023年4月15日

Daihoji Temple is located in exactly half of Shikoku’s 88 sacred sites, and is also called the “Central Place". The distance from Akashiji Temple to Daihoji Temple is about 80km, and there are many difficult places to cross the pass. It is said that it is difficult for even a person with strong legs to visit these two temples in one day.

At the temple gate, one of the largest straw sandals in Shikoku sacred grounds is dedicated.

Daihouji

Principal image	Eleven-faced Kannon Bodhisattva
Honzon mantra	On maka kyaronikya sowaka
Denomination	Shingon Buddhism Buzan sect

Place

Temple lodging： Be (150 people, Reservation required)

Phone：0892-21-0044

Gosyuin(red stamp)

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History

Originally, an eleven-faced Kannon statue brought by a Baekje monk was enshrined in this mountain.

In 701, in the Asuka period, hunter brothers (Ukyo and Hayato) found the eleven-faced Kannon statue, built a thatched hut, and enshrined the statue. Emperor Monmu heard the rumor and issued an imperial decree to build a temple. It is said that the temple was built under the name “Taihoji" after the name of the era at that time.

Approximately 120 years later, in 822 (Konin 13), Kobo Daishi visited this place, practiced esoteric Buddhism, and established it as the center of the Shikoku sacred grounds. Taking this opportunity, the sect that was Tendai sect was changed to Shingon sect.

Since then, it has been burned down and rebuilt repeatedly.

From 1156 to 1158, when Emperor Goshirakawa was afflicted with a brain disease, an imperial messenger prayed to this mountain for his recovery from the disease, and he got better. As a token of gratitude, he made a large donation and built a temple, and appointed his sister as the chief priest.

At Taiho-ji Temple, there is an anecdote about the Kumayama Peasant Rebellion. In 1741, when a peasant uprising broke out with 3,000 people, Saishu, the chief priest of the time, acted as an arbitrator, and it was resolved without a single condemned person. The Matsuyama clan donated 150 koku to Taiho-ji Temple as a token of appreciation for his efforts.

Highlight

【Horidasi Kannon】 Enshrined here is a gilt-bronze Kannon statue found at the base of a tree thought to be about 1,000 years old in the mountains of Daihoji Temple in 1934. The statue of Kannon was covered with about 130 stones on which the Lotus Sutra was written one by one. It is believed to be a Buddha that can excavate disease and evil spirits from the body.

【Ryogongen】 It enshrines the younger sister of Emperor Goshirakawa. It is believed to be beneficial for head ailments.

It is about 13km ( about 20 minutes by car) to the next 45th bill place “Iwayaji"!