Saigoku-ji Extra Temple on the Chugoku Kannon Pilgrimage

 

As well as the main 33 temples, the Chugoku Kannon Pilgrimage also has, like many pilgrimages, "extra" temples on the route not part of the 33.

In Onomichi, Saigokuji is one such temple. The previous example was Tanjoji Temple in Okayama.

Saigokuji is a huge complex, approached by a long road lined with cherry trees so very spectacular in season.

The Niomon dates back to 1648 and has a fine pair of Nio guardians.

A giant pair of straw sandals measuring more than 2 meters hang there and are the symbol of the temple.

From the Niomon 108 steps lead up to the main temple.

The temple claims to have been founded by Gyoki in the early 8th century.

Most of the temple burned down in 1066 but was restored under the orders of Emperor Shirakawa.

He made it an Imperial temple and it became the largest temple complex in the Sanyo Region with over 100 branch temples.

It remains the largest temple in Onomichi.

The temple was burned down again in the late 14th century. The current Kondo, Golden Hall was rebuilt in 1386 and is an Important Cultural Property.

The pagoda was rebuilt in 1429 and is also an Important Cultural Property.

The Jibutsu Hall, above, has an entry fee to enter, so not sure what is on display.

The main hall is free to enter.

The honzon is a Yakushi Nyorai. It is an Important Cultural Property, but is a Secret Buddha, so cannot be seen.

There is a "stand-in" in front of the curtain that hides the shrine holding the honzon.

As well as being on the Chugoku Kannon Pilgrimage, Saigokuji is also on the Sanyo Flower Temple Pilgrimage, The Chugoku Yakushi Pilgrimage, and the Bingo Kannon Pilgrimage.

Other halls within the complex are the Fudo-do, Bishamon-do, Daishi-do, and a Miroku-do.

The previous post in this series on day 10 of my walk along the Chugoku Kannon Pilgrimage was on the nearby Jodo-ji Temple complex.

Kannonji Temple Demons Gate of Fukuyama Castle

 

After exploring Tomonoura I headed back into Fukuyama again to spend my second night there and as there was still plenty of daylight left I went to explore the area to the NE of the castle.

My first stop was Kannonji Temple which has a Niomon gate before a long Pine-flanked approach.

The Nio were quite impressive....

In Japanese culture, imported from China, the NE direction is considered where evil comes from, and so temples were often placed to the NE of important sites to protect them. These were called Kimon.

Perhaps the most famous example is the placing of Enryakuji Temple on top of Mount Hiei to protect Kyoto.

When Fukuyama Castle was built in the 17th century the daimyo had this temple brought from another area and placed as the kimon.

The Hondo and main gate are dated to 1651 and are registered as Important Cultural Properties.

Kannonji is a Shingon temple and was under the control of Myoo-in.

The honzon is a Kannon and the temple is on both the Fukuyama and the Bingo Kannon pilgrimages.

The previous post in this series on my walk along the Chugoku Kannon Pilgrimage was on Fukuzenji Temple in nearby Tomonoura.

Koryuji Bangai Temple 10 Shikoku Ohenro Pilgrimage

 

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.

Jibo Kannon-do

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.

The previous temple was number 59, the Iyo Kokubunji Temple.