Nishiyama Koryuji Temple, number 10 of the "extra" temples known as Bangai or Bekkaku, is located a short detour from the main pilgrimage route between
temple 59, Kokubunji, and temple 60, Yokomineji.
After climbing a gentle slope there are great views looking down and over Saijo City.
The road then enters the forest and starts to climb more steeply and you then cross the Miyuryu Bridge.
Arriving at the Niomon gate with its fine pair of guardians.
Whereas many temples claim Kobo Daishi as their founder, many more claim to have been founded by Gyoki, around a century before Kobo Daishi's time.
Koryuji claims to predate Gyoki, which I'm sure makes it one of the oldest temples on the pilgrimage.
It is said to have been founded in 642 and was later visited by both Gyoki and Kobo Daishi.
The honzon is a Thousand-Armed Kannon
The Daishi-do is a much more modern, concrete structure.
The current main hall was built at the end of the 14th century. It is an Important Cultural Property.
A trail leads up to a small shrine enshrining Ishizuchi Gongen, Ishizuchi being the highest mountain on Shikoku and home to a large and important Shugendo centre.
I visited late in winter, but the temple is famous as an Autumn Viewing spot as it has 300 maple trees in the grounds.
The three-storey Pagoda dates to 1836.
thanks for the visit !
ReplyDeleteA nice pagode !!
Greetings from Gabi in Okayama
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