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.










Saturday, June 21, 2025

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