Houjuji, temple 62 of the Ohenro, is only one and a half kilometers from the previous temple, number 61 Ko-onji. It is in a cluster of pilgrimage temples close together in Saijo, Ehime.
I arrived here early in the morning on 17th February, 2012, day 38 of my walk along the pilgrimage.
It is a Shingon temple and the honzon is an eleven-faced Kannon.
Photo taken in 2012 of the previous main hall. It still stands but is now blocked off by a big modern building housing the temple office.
The temple was founded in the mid-8th century when Emperor Shomu had a shrine built about one kilometer north of the current location.
Enshrining Okuninushi, Oyamatsumi, and Kotoshironushi, it was the Ichinomiya of the province.
The shrine is the okunoin of the temple and is now located just across the road (final photo)
A small temple was built next to the shrine and named Kongoho-ji.
Later, when Kobo Daishi visited, he carved the Kannon statue and renamed the temple Houjuji.
The temple suffered repeatedly from the Nakayama River flooding.
The temple was destroyed during Hideyoshi's invasion in 1585
In 1636 the temple was relocated to its current location.
Pilgrims would pray first at the shrine and then chant sutras at the temple, so in 1679 the lord demanded the shrine be relocated to its current location closer to the temple.
In 1868 the shrine and temple were officially separated and the temple abandoned.
At the same time a small Inari shrine was established in the grounds ( photo 6 )
For some years the temple was in dispute with the official pilgrimage association, but I believe that has been resolved.
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Very useful bit of history!
ReplyDeletevery interesting, thanks for sharing the history !
ReplyDeleteGabi from Okayama