【Japan tourism】 Shikoku 88 temple pilgrimage trip [No.60] Isgizutisan Hukutiin Yokomineji

2023年3月18日2023年12月5日

Yokomine-ji Temple is located on the hillside (750m) of the Ishizuchi Mountain Range (1,982m above sea level), the highest peak in western Japan, and is the third highest of the sacred sites in Shikoku. It was once known as the most difficult place for pilgrimage.

Since the forest road was completed in 1984, it is now possible to drive to the parking lot 500m away from the precincts, but the road is closed in winter and large buses cannot enter all year round.

Yokomineji

Principal image	Dainichi Nyorai
Honzon mantra	On abiraunken bazaradadoban
Denomination	Shingon Suddhism Omuro sect

Place

Temple lodging： none

Phone：0897-59-0142

Gosyuin(red stamp)

History

It is said that in the 2nd year of Hakuchi, when En no Gyoja was training in Hoshigamori on Mt. Ishizuchi, Zao Gongen appeared near the summit. It is said that En no Gyoja carved his figure into a rhododendron tree and built a small hall to enshrine it.

Mt. Ishizuchi has long been a sacred place for mountain worship, and during the Enryaku era, a monk named Syakusen Shonin lived there. It is said that the hermit was given the title of bodhisattva because he successfully cured the brain disease of Emperor Kanmu.

Currently, the name of the mountain is Mt. Ishizuchi, but in the old days, it was called “Bukkouzan" after the principal image of the Buddha, Dainichi Nyorai.

Kobo Daishi entered Mt. Ishizuchi twice when he was young, and in his book “Sankyo Shiki", he describes how he practiced fasting and ascetic practices.

From 806 to 810, Kobo Daishi held a star memorial at this temple to ward off evil and pray for good luck. At this time as well, he sensed that Zao Gongen appeared, and Daishi established the hall and designated it as a sacred place.

The temple was abandoned by the new Meiji government’s anti-Buddhism edict, but was finally rebuilt in 1909.

Highlight

【main hall】Gongen-zukuri in the style of a shrine. The gilt-bronze Zao Gongen statue from the Heian period is enshrined, and together with the seated statue of Dainichi Nyorai, it is an important cultural property designated by Ehime Prefecture.

【Hoshiku Daishi】He holds a sword in his right hand and a star scroll in his left hand.