Kozanji Temple 19 Chugoku Kannon Pilgrimage

 

Kozanji is a Soto Zen temple in the old samurai town of Chofu near Shimonoseki.

It was established originally as a Rinzai temple in 1327.

It is the 19th temple on the Chugoku Kannon Pilgrimage.

Originally called Chofukuji, by the start of the 17th century it had become somewhat dilapidated, but Mori Hidemoto had it reconstructed as a Soto temple and changed the name to Kozanji.

The highlight of the temple is the Butduden, the Buddha Hall, built in 1320. Top photo.

It is the oldest remaining example of Zenshuyo style architecture in Japan and is registered as a National Treasure.

Kozanji has numerous links to the Meiji Restoration. The mound pictured below is a memorial to all those who gave their lives for the Meiji Restoration.

Inside the Butsuden is the honzon of the temple, a Thousand-armed Kannon, as well as numerous other noteworthy statues.

28 statues were carved in the early 16th century as attendants to kannon, and 23 remain today.

Kozanji has a big, ornate two^story gate, but it was enclosed in scaffolding and tarps when I visited.

The honzon is said to have been carved by the famous sculptor Unkei.

In the entrance to the priests quarters is a statue of Idaten.

This Bodhisattva is known as a protector of monasteries....

The previous post in this series on day 25 of my walk along the Chugoku Kannon Pigrimage was on the moss garden here at Kozanji.

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Myo-ozan Fumonji Temple

 

This incredibly beautiful wooden statue of a Thousand -armed Kannon is believed to date back to the early Heian Period.

It can be seen in a small Tendai sect temple in the tiny castle town of Ako, famous for the legend of the 47 Ronin.

Originally located on a mountain to the NE of its current site along with another Tendai temple, Choanji. It is said to have been founded by Shotoku Taishi.

Both temples were destroyed at the end of the Warring States Period and relocated to different sites in the town.

unlike many of the smaller, non-touristy, temples, it is quite active, not just a funerary temple.

It is part of the Setouchi Kannon Pilgrimage, the Banshu Yakushi Pilgrimage, and something called the Pilgrimage to 36 Nunnery Temples.

The Thousand-armed statue, like most, does not actually have a full thousand arms, but what is noteworthy is the fine sculpting of the hands. It is an Important Cultural Property.

I believe this is a Yoga Daigongen shrine.

In 1957 it was moved to its current location and merged with Choanji Temple to become Myo-ozan Fumonji Temple.

The Mizuko Jizo statue, photo 5, is unusual in that it is sculpted as a female and looks like a Kannon.

There is a Fudo, photo 6, flanking the main statue of Kannon, but another Fudo is in the Goma-den.

If you are in the area, then it's worth visiting at least for the Kannon statue.

The previous post was on the excellent  gardens at the Ako Castle Ruins Park

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.