【Pilgrim’s Song】
While resting in the Sakurei hall
Chant the six characters and read the sutra

The history and origin of Senyuji

The precincts are located on a hill with an altitude of 300m near the summit of Sakureisan, which is the name of the mountain. Beyond that, the islands floating in the Seto Inland Sea, and the Shimanami Kaido, which opened in 1999, have a panoramic view.
The founding was made by the edict of Emperor Tenchi (reigning 668-671), and the lord of Iyo, Moriko Ochi founded the temple. The main statue of Senden Kannon Bodhisattva is a memorial Buddha of the emperor. It is said that a dragon-woman came up from the sea and engraved and enshrined it in the reverent manner of bowing three times for each carving put into the deity. For this reason, there is a legend that “Sakureizan” became the mountain name and was derived from from Ryūgū (the undersea palace of the Dragon King).
In addition, there is a legend at Senyuji where a monk named Abo Sennin stayed for 40 years and established a seven structure temple, but disappeared suddenly in the second year of the Yōrō era (718). The temple name comes from Abo Sennin.
When Kobo Daishi repaired this temple at the time of the opening of the Shikoku sacred sites, he dug a well to relieve people suffering from illnesses and restored the ruined seven structure temple. This well remains on the side of the old approach, and is believed to have saved many people from various illnesses.
In the Edo period, the temple was devastated and only the main hall and twelve Buddhist statues were found, but in the early Meiji period, the high monk, Yūren Shonin became the lord of the mountain and worked with many believers to revive it. Yūren Shonin is considered as the last imbued Buddha in Japan in the 4th year of the Meiji era. In the temple grounds, there is a five storied pagoda that is a memorial to him.

The highlights of Senyuji

Ryūgū Sakura Monument, Inuzuka Pond

Annual events at Senyuji

Revision meeting, first prayer meeting, new year prayer meeting

Date: Three days

Evil Flyer

Date: 2nd Sunday in January

General young society

Date: January 17

Setsubun

Date: February 3

Flower festival

Date: April 8

Kobo Daishi Mikage

Date: April 29

46,000-day large law society (summer festival)

Date: The last Sunday of August 9

New Year’s Eve

Date: December 31

Gomakai

Date: 21st of every month

Temple 58 Fudasho: Sareizan Senkouin Senyuuji

Access

Location

Tamagawacho Besshokou 483, Imabari, Ehime 794-0113

Tel

0898-55-2141

Parking

Yes * Regular car 400 yen as road maintenance fee

Shukubo
(TempleLodging)

Yes (50 people, reservation required)

Website

http://www.shikoku88-58senyuji.com/

Social Media

From Imabari Interchange, take National Routes 196 and 317 toward Tamagawacho. Turn left at the bus stop Osuki and follow the mountain road.
⇒ Google map

【Pilgrim’s Song】
Hachiman protects this world with bow and arrow
The next is saved by Amitabha

History and origin of Eifukuji

In the coastal waters of the Seto Inland Sea, there were constant maritime accidents. Eifukuji Temple has been worshiped since ancient times as a prayer temple as Kobo Daishi performed the memorial service called “Kaishin Kuyou”, for the gods of the sea.
According to Engi, it was during Kōnin era that the Daishi visited this place on the request of Emperor Saga (reign 809-823). He prayed for the ease of the inland sea winds and waves and the alleviation of marine accidents, and he repaired the temple at the summit of Futoyama. On the day of the supplication, the winds and waves subsided and the shadow of Amida Nyorai drifted on the sea. It was said that Amida Nyorai’s precious statue was built on the summit of Futoyama and enshrined as the principle deity.

Eifukuji also has a mixed history of Shinto and Buddha, and its origin dates back to the Heian period. In the first year of the Jōgan era (859), Yamato, Gyōkō Shōin of Daianji Temple, traveling to Usa, received the great oracle of the spirit of Hachiman and founded the branch temple as Oyama Hachiman (Ishikimizu Hachiman) in Yamashiro (Kyoto). During the voyage, he encountered a storm and drifted to this place. However, the mountain of Futoyama is similar to the man of Mt. Yamashiro, and the main shrine Amida Nyorai is also the native Buddha of Hachiman. This Hachimangu Shrine is also called “Iyo no Iwashimizu Hachimangū”, and there is a signpost of a stone tower engraved with the name of the temple and shrine named “Shikoku Fifty Seventh”.
The temple was relocated from its former location to its current one on the hillside by the Meiji New Government’s Shinto-Buddha Separation Ordinance. The current Daishido has a long history of relocating the hall on the summit. In addition, Efukuji’s collection of handwritten accounts of the middle Edo period has a handwritten “Betsuto Eifukuji” ink scroll, and the same stamps are stamped with Edo period woodblocks also have “Betsuto Eifukuji”. The name is seen, indicating that the visit was made not from the time of the Meiji Restoration but from ancient times.

The highlights of Eifukuji

Old account book, boy’s box cart, Jizo (Sando entrance, wearing a red hat), Daishido twelve zodiac sculptures

Temple 57 Fudasho: Futozan Muryojyuin Eifukuji

Access

Location

Tamagawacho Yawata-ko 200, Imabari, Ehime 794-0114

Tel

0898-55-2432

Parking

Yes

Shukubo
(TempleLodging)

None

Website

http://www.eifukuji.jp/

Social media

From Imabari Interchange, take National Route 196/317 toward Tamagawacho and turn left on Prefectural Road 155. Turn right after crossing the Sakai River, turn left about 1km ahead and look straight on your left.
⇒ Google map

【Pilgrim’s Song】
Kokubunji temple built for protection
Finally becoming the healer

History and origin of Kokubunji

Iyo Kokubunji. This is the place where Iyo Culture originated, where the Iyo government was located. The former Kokubunji was about 150m east of the current temple. There are 13 huge cornerstones in the ruins that are considered to be the eastern tower ruins, and it is regarded as a national historic site. The height of the seven-storied pagoda, estimated from the layout of the corner stones, was about 60m, and the temple view with the magnificent seven structure temple is reminiscent of the old days of the Tenpyō era, which reigned in Iyo’s Buddhist world, leaving behind its remnants.
It is said that Kokubunji was founded in the 13th year of the Tenpyō era, by the imperial entreaty of Emperor Shoumu (reigned 724 to 749). When he was the third priest, Kobo Daishi stayed for a long time to devote himself to the image of the “Five Great Wisdom Kings”, and his master’s disciple Prince Shinnyo (?-862) also stayed for two years. A part of the Lotus Sutra was copied and stored here.

Later Iyo Kokubunji was hit by a tragic disaster. First of all, in the second year of the Tenpyō era, in 939, Fujiwara Sumitomo’s Rebellion turned the temple to ashes. Next, burnt down again due to the fire of the Genpei Battle in the first year of the Genryaku era,1184. The third time it was burned by the fire of Sanuki and Noriyuki Hosokawa in the 3rd year of the Jōji era (1364). For the fourth time, Chosokabe Motochika’s “Tensho War” destroyed the temple again. The temple was devastated by a series of terrible disasters In the 2nd year of the Genroku era (1689), the writer Sakamoto, in his book “Shikoku Jouki”, writes “Only the small hall yet stands lonely”. Full-scale reconstruction was from the late Edo period.
Fortunately, there are many cultural artifacts such as “Kokubunji Scrolls” and “Great Perfection of Wisdom Sutra” in addition to ancient tiles.

The highlights of Kokubunji

Hondo, Honson, Abbot’s quarters, Chinese camellia (In early April, a flower similar to a peony 17cm in diameter is delightful to see.)

Temple 59 Fudasho: Konkozan Saishoin Kokubunji

Access

Location

Kokubu 4-1-33, Imabari, Ehime 799-1533

Tel

0898-48-0533

Parking

Yes

Shukubo
(TempleLodging)

None

Website

None

From Imabari Interchange, take National Route 196 for Toyo City. Turn left at Takaichi intersection and go straight. Turn right on Prefectural Road 156 and after about 1km you will find it on your left.
⇒ Google map

【Pilgrim’s Song】
Taizan-ji after all the people visit
Invocation for guidance to the afterlife

History and origin of Taishanji

Taizanji has a long-lasting legend that calms spirits who lose their lives due to floods. Kobo Daishi visited this place around the 6th year of the Kōnin era. The river, “Soshagawa” it is called, runs through this region. Every year in the rainy season, the river overflows, flows over fields and houses, and kills humans.Thus, the villagers are afraid and suffer, and it is believed to be the work of evil spirits. The Daishi who heard this situation built a levee with the villagers, and mastered the seven secrets of “Dosha Kaji”. Then, on the day of the full application, he sensed the presence of the Jizo Bodhisattva of Longevity in the air and the prayers for flood control were fulfilled.

The Daishi planted an “unforgettable pine” in the earth of this temple, carved the statue of the Jizo-Bodhisattva that he felt and enshrined it the main sanctuary, built the temple building and named it “Taishanji Temple”. The name of the temple is said to have been taken from the first of the ten major applications of “Enmei Jizoryo”. Taishan (sacred mountain in Shandong province of China) also has the meaning of soothing the dead and praying for the repose of the deceased, as if it were like Taishan where the dead spirits gathered.
The temple later became the imperial palace of Emperor Junna (reigning 823 to 33), and prospered as a giant monument with seven temples, including Jizoubo and Fudobo at the top of the tower. However, repeated fires have reduced the size of the temple, and it is reported that the grounds at the summit of Mt. Kanawa have moved to the current location at the foot of the temple, where the Daishi-hand-planted “Unforgettable Pine” was located.
About 300m to the right of Taizanji is the tower called “Tonomoto”. It is the birthplace of a school monk from the Kamakura period, (1240-1321) who wrote the “Hasshū-Kōyō”, “The Essential Analysis of Hasshū (The Essential Analysis of Eight Buddhist Sects)”.

The highlights of Taizanji

Sediment-carrying, unforgettable pine, Jizou car (in front of the main hall. There is a round ring on the stone tower. Turning this turns the bond of the six roads around. )

Temple 56 Fudasho: Kinrinzan Chokuoin Taisanji

Access

所在地

Koizumi 1-9-18, Imabari, Ehime 794-0064

Tel

0898−22-5959

Parking

Yes

Shukubo
(TempleLodging)

None

Website

None

From Imabari Interchange, take National Route 196 straight to Toyo City. Turn right at the intersection about 500m ahead and go straight and you will see your right hand.
⇒ Google map

【Pilgrim’s Song】
Temple stands on the peak of a mountain
Is something that saves all

History and origin of Yokomineji

The highest peak in western Japan, Mt. Ishizuchi (at an altitude of 1982m) is a sacred place for mountain worship and a dojo for training. In this mountain, Kobo Daishi, Kukai, when he was 24 years old, wrote “Sankyo Shiki” (a famous dialectic allegory and debut work), “Sometimes, I was cut off from food sources (fasting) separated from the world (penance)” The state of training was recorded. The state of his training on this mountain is described. The grounds are located on the northern middle (750m) of Mt. Ishizuchi. Located in the third highest of the Shikoku sacred sites, it was the most difficult to access of all, the term “Henro Rolling” (falling and crashing pilgrim) is used. The forest road was completed in 1984, and can now be visited by car to a forest road parking lot 500 meters away from the precincts. However, in winter, it will be closed from late December to February. Large buses are not allowed.
According to Engi, in the second year of the Hakuchi era, when an attendant was training at Hoshigamori on Mt.Ishizuchi, Zao Gongen appeared near the summit. Carving that figure on a stone camphor tree and a small hall was built and the figure enshrined. Also, during the Enryaku era (782-806), there was an ascetic named Ishisen-sennin, who reportedly provided brain disease healing for Emperor Kammu (reigned 781-806).

It is said that Kobo Daishi practiced the memorial services, rituals to ward off evil, and the prayers for good fortune at this temple during the Daidō era. (806-10). Since then, the temple has flourished as a separate temples for Shinto and Buddha practice, but the temple was abolished by the Meiji New Government’s Buddhism abolition order. In 1907, it has finally been reconstructed with the cooperation of the Shinto “dan” believers.

The highlights of Yokomineji

Hondo, Hoshiyo Daishi, Ishibana Hana (planted from the main hall on the side of the mountain next to the Daishido. Bright early red flowers coloring the grounds from the beginning of May.)

Annual events at Yokomineji

Star Festival

Date: February 3

Flower Festival

Date: April 8 of the lunar calendar

Temple 60 Fudasho: Ishizuchizan Fukuchiin Yokomineji

Access

Location

2253 Komatsucho Ishizuchi-ko, Saijo, Ehime 799-1112

Tel

0897-59-0142

Parking

Yes

Shukubo
(TempleLodging)

None

Website

None

From Iyo-Komatsu Interchange, take National Route 11 towards Saijo City. After passing the Himi intersection, turn right onto Prefectural Road 142 and turn right at the bus stop Yokomine Trail. Proceeding towards the mountain is the front.
⇒ Google map

【Pilgrim’s Song】
If you haven’t dreamed of Mishima these days
Another shrine has the very same Suijaku (savior Buddha)

The history and origin of Nankobo

This is the only temple in the Shikoku sacred place where the “bo” is attached. Officially called “Kōmyōji Kongō-in Nankō bō”. It is located in the center of Imabari city, but its origin is old, and it has a history deeply related to the god of sea voyages, Oyama Gion Shrine of the Imperial Guard, Iyoichinomiya.
Established on Omishima Island by the Imperial Court Emperor Suiko (594). After that, Tadashi Ochi, Emperor Bunmu’s edict, in the third year of the Taihō era, enshrined the deity as the ritual would be neglected due to the wind and waves. It is a priestly ceremony called “Before Mishima, Japan’s National Guardian Island” It was thus called and consecrated. Kobo Daishi visited the annex at the time of journeying on the Shikoku pilgrimage, and was designated as the 55th Fifth Place of the Shikoku Sacred Sites.

Later, all the shrines and temples were destroyed by the “Tensho war of fire” which spread throughout Iyo, but only Nankobo was rebuilt as a separate temple at Bekkyu. In 1600, the Yakushido was reconstructed as a place of prayer for Takatora Todo, and in the Edo period, the lord Shigeru Hisamatsu also worshiped and dedicated rituals here.
As time passed, the first Buddhist Buddha in the Meiji Era was transferred to the Nankobo Yakushi-do, where Otsuchi Chikatsu Norai and Wakizuchi’s Maitreya and Kannon Buddhist statues, which were consecrated to the shrine as the main Buddha, were clearly separated from Betsunomiya Daisen Shrine.
Furthermore, during the era of the abolition of the Buddhism in the early Meiji era, the statue of Daitsūchishō Nyorai who was set in the main shrine as the principle deity and the image of the Maitreya Bodhisattva as flanking deity, and the Kannon Bodhisattva were transferred to the Nankobo Yakushido and clearly separated from Betsugu Oyama Gion Shrine.
In August 1945, Shōwa era year 20, at the end of the Pacific War, an air raid caused damage to the Daishi hall and Konpira hall. The current main hall was rebuilt in the fall of 1981, Yakushido was rebuilt in the spring of 1991, and the mountain gate was rebuilt in the same year.

The highlights of Nankobo

Odachi Chikatsu Nyorai, Kawamura Kashiyama’s Kashiwagasa, Konpira-do (the hall that enshrines the Konpira Dagengen that has been solicited from Konpira Shrine in Iki)

Annual events at Nankobo

Revision meeting

Date: January 1-3

Open your mouth

Date: January 9

Old Masakage

Date: March 21 of the lunar calendar

Kim Jin Dao Gongen General Young Reading

Date: June 10 of the lunar calendar

Shimotsuki Daishi Mikage

Date: December 21

Temple 55 Fudasho: Bekkuzan Kongouin Nankoubou

Access

Location

Bekku-cho 3 -1 Imabari, Ehime 794-0026

Tel

0898-22-2916

Parking

Available (free)

Shukubo
(TempleLodging)

None

Website

None

From Imabari Interchange, turn left at Katayama Intersection on National Route 196 and go straight toward Imabari City. Turn left in front of Imabari Daimaru and it is about 500m on your left.
⇒ Google map

【Pilgrim’s Song】
If at the edge of a cloudless mirror
I wonder if it will cast shadows

History and origin of Enmeiji

There is a mountain with an altitude of 244m, which is the mountain of Enmeiji, which is also the name of Enmeiji Temple, about 6km northwest of Imabari city. It is said that Enmei-ji was the one that had 100 temples in the valleys, with a seven temple structure on the mountaintop.
According to Engi, in the fourth year of the Yōrō era, following the imperial request of Emperor Shoumu (reigned 724 to 749), Gyoki Bodhisattva carved a statue of King Fudo Myo, who was the incarnation of Dainichi Nyorai, and built it as a main temple. During the Kōnin era (810-24), Kobo Daishi received the edict of Emperor Saga (reigned 809-823), revived the temple as a central dojo for religion and learning, and named it “Fudoin-Enmyoji”. And the name of this “Enmyoji Temple” continued until the Meiji Restoration, but there were many mistakes with the same temple name, 53rd Enmyoji Temple (Matsuyama City), and so it has been changed to “Enmeiji Temple” which has been popularly called since the Edo period.
Afterwards, the temple suffered repeated fires and the temple burned down. However, it was revived again and moved to the foot of Enmeiji in his current location with the temple that escaped difficulties in 1727. During this period, in 1268, during the Kamakura period (1268), a scholar of the Kegon sect (1240-1321) was nestled in the temple’s Nishiya monk’s quarters, and wrote the “Hasshū-kōyō”, an introductory book for beginners of Buddhism. “Hasshuu” refers to the newly-built sect and the newly established Jodo sect of Kusha-shū, Satyasiddhi, Ritsu, Hosso, Sanron, Tendai, and Kegon. The Kegon sect and the newly-developed Jodo sect, which are written in two volumes.
The temple also has the second oldest signpost in Shikoku, with a Japanese andromeda (Pieris japonica) tree on the grounds and pretty white flowers bloom for about a month from the spring equinox.

Highlights of Enmeiji

Tomb of Sanmon, Hibuke Fudoson, Son of Ochi Son (Ogata Sonoya saved the farmers’ poverty and is said to have not been killed by the great famine of the Kyoho Year)

Annual events at Enmeiji

First immobility

Date: January 28

Setsubun festival

Date: February 3

Flower Festival

Date: April 8

Ochi Sonbei, memorial festival

Date: August 7

The demon demon

Date: August 23

Unpaid

Date: December 28

Nightlight bell

Date: December 31

Tenple 54 Fudasho: Chikamizan Houshouin Enmeiji

Access

Location

Agata, 636, Imabari, Ehime, 794-0081

Tel

0898-22-5696

Parking

Yes * There is a surcharge

Shukubo
(TempleLodging)

None

Website

https://enmeiji.info/

After leaving Enmyoji, head northeast on Route 196 running along the sea. After passing JR Onishi Station, after a while, it branches to a narrow road leading to prefectural road 38. Enter Route 38 and drive 1.4km. There is a sign at the entrance of Enmeiji along the road. Turn left, and after about 300m you will reach Enmei-ji Temple.
⇒ Google map

【Pilgrim’s Song】
If you think of the later world visit Koonji.
The water of Shirataki that never stops

History and origin of Koonji

Koonji is one of the oldest temples in Shikoku, with the opening of Prince Shotoku (574-622). On the other hand, there is an ultra-modern grand temple that serves as the main hall and the Daishi-do temple. The ring of the Koyasu-ko (teachings for smooth child delivery), which was founded by the temple, has spread overseas and currently exceeds 20,000 people.
According to Engi, Emperor Yomei (reigned 585-87) prayed for the healing of illnesses, and Prince Prince Shotoku founded the temple. At this time, it was reported that a white-haired old woman wearing a gold garment flew in front of the prince and enshrined the statue of Dainichi Nihonki. Later, Gyoki Bodhisattva (668-749) visited during the Heian period (729-49).
Kobo Daishi visited during the Daidō era (806-10). One day, a heavy woman suffered in front of the gate. The master held her and prayed with the incense of sandalwood. Then the woman gave birth to a healthy boy. This was the opportunity, and the Daishi put the small gold Dainichi Nyorai statue he brought back from Tang into the chest of deity, and again lit sandalwood incense for safe delivery, child-raising, sacrifice, and praying for the female Buddha and left it in the temple and set it as a sacred place. The name “Sandanyama” (a type of Indian sandalwood) comes from this.

Kobo Daishi visited during the Daidō era (806-10). One day, a heavy woman suffered in front of the gate. The master held her and prayed with the incense of sandalwood. Then the woman gave birth to a healthy boy. This was the opportunity, and the Daishi put the small gold Dainichi Nyorai statue he brought back from Tang into the chest of deity, and again lit sandalwood incense for safe delivery, child-raising, sacrifice, and praying for the female Buddha and left it in the temple and set it as a sacred place. The name “Sandanyama” (a type of Indian sandalwood) comes from this.

The highlights of Koonji

Cathedral, Koyasu Daishi Statue, Koyasu Junior High School (the predecessor of the current prefectural Komatsu High School, a temple was founded in 1950 and was dedicated to school education.)

Annual events at Koonji

First prayer meeting

Date: December 31-January 7

Saintokukai

Date: February 22

Flower Festival

Date: April 8

fair

Date: April 20-21

Sozo’s Birthday Party

Date: June 15

Jizo Bonkai

Date: August 23

Gokuonkai

Date: August 24

Revision meeting

Date: December 31

Kobo Daishi Moon Shadow

Date: 21st of every month

Okunoin Fudodo Mamoru

Date: 28th of every month

Temple 61 Fudasho: Sendansan Kyooin Koonji

Access

Location

Minamigawa ko 19, Komatsu-cho, Saijo, Ehime 799-1102

Tel

0898-72-3861

Parking

Available (free)

宿坊

None

Website

http://www.koyasudaishi.or.jp/

From Iyo-Komatsu Interchange, take National Route 11 towards Saijo City. Turn right at Koonji Intersection, drive about 370m and turn right.
⇒ Google map

【Pilgrim’s Song】
Himeji Temple Light of Maitreya
Lustrous shade every night of the moon

History and origin of Enmyoji

Enmyoji preserves the oldest Shikoku sanctuary copper plate ticket that was discovered by an American pilgrim.
In March 1913, Dr. Stahl of the University of Chicago found his way to Shikoku pilgrimage, visiting the temple’s Honson and Amida Nyorai statues. The inscription was made in 1650 in the early Edo period, and it is 24cm long, 9.7cm wide, about 1mm thick, and is the oldest and unprecedented copper plate.

The devotee Hirato Higuchi is known for reviving the temple of Gochiyama Renge Temple in Kyoto and building the Gochi Nyorai Stone Buddha (Five Dhyani Buddhas – the five qualities of Buddha’s wisdom). Of a particular note of interest is that this is also the first time that the word “henro” is written.
According to Engi, in the first year of the Tenpyō-Shōhō era, Emperor Seibu (reigned 724-49), Gyoki Bosatsu sculpted a statue of Amida Nyorai of Wonson, a statue of Kanzeon, and a solstice sculpture. It is said that it was built as a large temple with seven temples. At that time, it was located on the shore of Nishiyama in Wakehama and was called “Kaizan / Reimei-ji Temple”.
Later, Kobo Daishi maintained the ruined temples and revived it as a sacred place. However, it declined due to repeated fires during the Kamakura period, and was moved to the current location by the local royal family of Shigehisa Suga, during the Genwa period of 1615-24. Furthermore, it was rebuilt as the immediate end of Ninna-ji Temple in 1636, the 13th year of the Kan’ei era, by the order of royal decree by Kakushin Ido of Kyoto (Emperor Goyosei’s first prince and high priest of the Edo period), of the Omuro sect of Buddhism, and the temple name was also revised as it is now. Enmyoji Temple is also known for its Christian monument with embossed Virgin Mary images.

The highlights of Enmyoji

Kirishitan stone pagoda, dragon and Kannon-do by Sakuro Goro (Eleven Kannon statues are enshrined.

Temple 53 Fudasho: Sugazan Shouchiin Enmyouji

Access

Location

Wakemachi 1-182, Matsuyama, Ehime 799-2656

Tel

089-978-1129

Parking

Available (free)

Shukubo
(TempleLodging)

None

Website

None

From Matsuyama Interchange, take Route 33 to Matsuyama city. Run along the South Ring Route / National Route 196 and turn left at Uchinomiya Intersection. Go straight ahead and look to the right.
⇒ Google map

【Pilgrim’s Song】
If you go up to Taisan, you may sweat
No suffering shall later come the next life

The history and origin of Taisanji

It is interesting to note that the founder, Chief Mano, built the Mido overnight.
The elder was burning charcoal of bellows in Bungo (Oita), but was married to the daughter of Minister Kuga, Princess Ozu, receiving the indication from God, and became a millionaire with good fortune. In 587, the 2nd year of the Youmei era, when he went to Osaka for business, he was beset by a heavy storm and prayed to Kannon for his safety. After having been rescued at Takahama, he set about the establishment of Ichiu, He made a long-awaited request for the construction of Ichiyu, and gathered Bungo’s artisans to prepare a timber frame to build a main hall with a width of 66 feet and a depth of 81 feet. Arriving in Takahama in a smooth wind, building it up all night, the main hall was built when the morning sun rose and shone brilliantly. It is said that it is a “Mido built overnight”.

After that, at the end of Tenpyō era, year 11, (739), under the edict of Emperor Shoumu (reigned 724 to 49), Gyoki Bosatsu carved an eleven-faced Kannon statue. It is said that he made it the principal deity. The temple prospered around the time of Emperor Koken (reigned 749-58), and was spectacular enough to include a seven structured temple and 66 monks. Kobo Daishi visited during the late Tencho era (824-34), and was trained to practice the Goma ritual, converting the temple from the Hoso sect to the Shingon sect.
Later, Emperor Go-Reize (reign 1045-68), Gosanjo, Horikawa, Toba, Sotoku, Konoe, each of the six generations of Emperors were devoted to the eleven-faced Kannon statue. Both statues have an image height of around 150cm and are important cultural properties of the country along with the eleven-faced Kannon statue principle deity. It is enshrined in the main hall. Although the present main hall is the third reconstruction since the establishment of the original, it is the largest national treasure in Shingon Buddhism.

The highlights of Taisanji

Main Hall, Niomon, Prince Shotoku (The Prince who visited Iyo tied this temple. The same Prince statue as Horyu-ji Yumeden)

Temple 52 Fudasho: Ryuuunzan Gojiin Taisanji

Access

Location

Taisanjicho 1730, Matsuyama, Ehime 799-2662

Tel

089-978-0329

Parking

Available (free)

Shukubo
(TempleLodging)

None

Website

None

From Matsuyama Interchange, take Route 33 to Matsuyama city. Run along the South Ring Route / National Route 196 and turn left at Uchinomiya Intersection. You can see it straight ahead.
⇒ Google map