Wednesday, June 25, 2025

Senkoji Temple Icon of Onomichi

 


Senkoji, temple number 10 on the Chugoku Kannon Pilgrimage is located on the mountainside overlooking the historic town and port of Onomichi.


On this trip I visited by taking the ropeway to the top of the mountain and then walking down to the temple. These first two shots were taken from the cablecar on the way up.


The views from above the temple are stupendous...


I have visited Senkoji several times before, so on this visit I passed through pretty quickly and didn't take so many photos.


The temple was founded in 806, with some saying by Kobo Daishi himself.


The temple was restored in the 10th century by Minamoto Mitsunaka.


The temple is about 140 meters up the mountain so the views are still quite magnificent.


The current main hall dates to 1686


There are numerous large rock outcroppings around the temple, the biggest being known as Tamanoiwa


The honzon is a Thousand-armed Kannon. It is a secret Buddha only shown to the public once every 33 years.


However a replica stand-in is in front of the altar ( 2 photos below)






The previous post in this series on day 11 of my Chugoku Kannon Pilgrimage walk was on Saigokuji Temple, the biggest temple in Onomichi.


Not far below Senkoji on the temple walk route is the Tenneiji Pagoda, a classic photo spot.




Tuesday, June 24, 2025

Chozenji Temple 8 Shikoku Fudo Myoo Pilgrimage

 


Chozenji Temple is number 8 on the Shikoku Fudo Myoo Pilgrimage.


It is located a few kilometers downstream from temple 7, Fukushoji. Each of the 36 temples on the Fudo Myoo Pilgrimage has one of the 36 doji, child-attendants of Fudo. At the foot of the stairs above is Shitara Doji.


Like Fukushoji, Chozenji seems like a pretty unremarkable rural temple.


However, it claims to have been founded by Kobo Daishi himself and if I am reading the history correctly, was a fairly major temple.


The Fudo enshrined here is said to be a Fudo who shows miraculous powers for warding off swellings and rashes and has become known as a Fudo to ward off cancer.


From the main hall further steps lead further up the mountainside through a "tunnel" of red torii.


This leads to Mogami Inari Shrine, a branch of Saijo Inari, a Buddhist temple in Okayama.


I can find no information on when the shrine was established or anything about it.


The main building seems to be fairly recent and has some nice ceiling paintings.


It has a pair of Tengu masks hanging on tye front of the building and a pair of what looks like Nio masks but could be other characters...


The steps continue on up to the temple Okunoin, a man made cave with a large painting of Fudo and water streaming from a hole in the ceiling.


The stairs leading up are lined with Fudo statues on the right side and another figure on te left. This may be Kukuzo, the honzon of the temple.


The temple burned down in 1586 and was rebuilt in 1588. In 1598 it was name Ekiji.


It is said to have consisted of seven structures, including a pagoda. It burned down again in 1864 and was rebuilt in 1890.


As part of the Spring Fudo Myoo Festival, firewalking by Yamabushi takes place in front of the Okunoin.


A couple of paintings from the temple are National Important Cultural Properties and are held by museums in Kyoto and Nara.


The previous post in the series was on the previous temple, Fukushoji, number 7.




Sunday, June 22, 2025

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.