【Japan tourism】 Shikoku 88 temple pilgrimage trip [No.80] Hakugyuuzan Senjyuin Kokubunji
There are 4 Kokubunji in the 88 temples. This is the Kokubunji in Sanuki. You can learn more about Kokubunji by visiting the Takamatsu City Sanuki Kokubunji Museum, which is run by the city on the east side of the temple.
When you enter the temple gate, the pine trees on both sides of the approach are very splendid, and the shade of the trees is a pleasant and relaxing space even in summer.
Among all the Kokubunji temples in Japan, Sanuki’s Kokubunji has a long history and is widely worth seeing. Even if you’re not on the pilgrimage, it’s a recommended spot to stop by when you’re in the area.
Kokubunji
| Principal image | Thousand-handed Kannon Bodhisattva |
| Honzon mantra | On bazara tarama kiriku |
| Denomination | Shingon Buddhism Omuro sect |
The Honzon is unveiled once every 60 years, and the next one will be in 2040.
Place
Temple lodging： none
Phone：087-874-0033
〒769-0102
2065 Kokubun, Kokubunji-cho, Takamatsu City, Kagawa Prefecture
Gosyuin (red stamp)
History
It is one of the 68 kokubunji built in 741 (Tenpyo 13) at the imperial request of Emperor Shomu. It is said that Gyoki established the temple with the eleven-faced, thousand-handed Kanzeon Bodhisattva as its principal image before 756.
During the Konin era (810-823), Kobo Daishi repaired the statue of the Thousand-armed Kannon Bodhisattva and established it as a sacred place.
In 1573, most of the temple except for the main hall, principal image, and bell tower was destroyed by the Tensho war. After that, it was revered and protected by the Ikoma clan, the lord of the Takamatsu domain, and the Matsudaira clan, and gradually recovered.
In 1901, the main hall was designated as a national treasure.
Highlight
It is a temple that has well preserved the remains of its original construction in the Nara period. The entire area of the old precincts is the only national special historic site in Shikoku.
The main hall, principal image, and bronze bell are designated as national important cultural properties.
After passing through the temple gate, you will see stone statues carved with 1 to 88 temple principal images on the left and right sides, which are called Mini Shikoku 88 Temples. It is said that you can get the same benefits as if you actually made a pilgrimage to all the temples in Shikoku.
temple bell
It is considered to be the oldest temple bell in Shikoku and is designated as an important cultural property.
There is a legend about a large snake, and when the temple bell was carried to Takamatsu Castle, it did not make a sound, causing an epidemic to spread inside and outside the castle. Kazumasa Ikoma, the lord of the Takamatsu domain, also fell ill, and every night the bell cried, saying, “I want to go back to Kokubunji."
Fearing that it must be a curse, the bell was returned to Kokubunji. It is said that the epidemic subsided after that, and the bells resounded beautifully in Kokubunji.
It is about 14 km (about 30 minutes by car) to the next 81st bill place “Shiramineji"!