【Japan tourism】 Shikoku 88 temple pilgrimage trip [No.70] Shippouzan Jihouin Motoyamaji

2023年3月30日2023年4月15日

Honzanji is a large temple with five-storied pagodas lined up in a vast precinct of about 20,000 square meters. There are only four five-storied pagodas in Shikoku sacred grounds: Chikurinji, Shidoji, Zentsuji, and this head temple.

Title

1. Motoyamaji
- 1.1. Place
- 1.2. Gosyuin(red stamp)
2. History
3. Highlight

Motoyamaji

Principal image	Bato Kanzeon Bosatsu
Honzon mantra	On amiritou dohanba un patta sowaka
Denomination	Kouyasan Shingon Buddhism

Place

Temple lodging： none

Phone：0875-62-2007

1445 Motoyamakou, Toyonaka-cho, Mitoyo City, Kagawa Prefecture

Gosyuin(red stamp)

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History

Although it was built in 950 (Tenryaku 3), it was rebuilt in 1900 due to severe damage.

The main deity of Honzan-ji Temple, Bato Kanzeon Bosatsu, is the only Kannon with a horse head on top of its head in Shikoku Sacred Sites. There is a statue of a horse near the main hall where it is enshrined.

In 807 (Daido 2), Kobo Daishi opened the temple and made it a temple based on the imperial request of Emperor Heijo. At that time, it was called “Chofuku-ji", and there is a legend that the main hall was built in a short period of time by Kobo Daishi.

The vast precincts include the main hall, which is a national treasure, Niomon gate, five-storied pagoda, guardian hall, Daishido, Juoudo, Akado (Dainichido), Ireidou, bell tower, and reception hall.

In addition, Amida Nyorai, a attendant, is said to have protected the chief priest when Chosokabe’s army invaded the main hall during the Tensho War, and is called 'Tachi-uke no Amida’. After that, the name of the temple was changed to “Motoyamaji".

Highlight

【Niomon】The temple gate has three styles: Japanese style, Chinese style, and Tenjiku style, and has been designated as a national important cultural property.

【Chinjudo】It is a small forest that retains the style of the late Muromachi period with its cypress bark roof and is registered as a prefectural designated cultural property.

【Main hall】The main hall, which was built in 1300 (Shouan 2) and is designated as a national treasure, has a tiled roof and a Nara-style exterior and interior.