Hakugyuzan Senjuin Kokubunji

【Pilgrim’s Song】
Help the people who travel to Kokubunji
They come by rough paths through mountains and fields

History and origin of Kokubunji

A temple that well preserved the ruins of the Nara period at the time of its foundation, and the entire area within the former precincts is the only national special historic site in Shikoku. The main hall was reconstructed in the middle of the Kamakura era with panelled wooded doors on the front and back. In the center of the grounds, 33 cornerstones of the main hall at the time of its construction were arranged, and the scale is comparable to that of the main hall of Toshodaiji Temple. In addition, the cornerstone of the seven-storied pagoda remains on the right hand side after entering the gate, and if it had survived, it is presumed that it was a large pagoda exceeding the size of the five-storied pagoda in Toji, Kyoto. The temple was built during the Emperor’s time. This is the Kokubunji of Sanuki country, which was founded by Gyoki Bosatsu who received the mandate. Later, during the Kōnin era (810-823), Kobo Daishi repaired the statue of Senju Honzon and set it as a sacred place. Most of the pagoda was destroyed by the Tensho War. In the Kamakura period, there was a record that it was the last temple of the Saidaiji. The current main hall was built, and after that, remained under the protection of Takamatsu feudal lords Ikoma and Matsudaira. And from that day until now stands as it was.

In addition, there is the following true story along with the legend that this temple is famous for the Shikoku’s oldest bell (bonshou). The early Edo lord, Kazumasa Ikoma, bought this bell in exchange for a “taichi-cho” (9900 square meters of rice fields) to use it as a bell for Takamatsu Castle. However, he needed a lot of people and horses to move it, much more than expected, and to bring it to the castle. Moreover, as soon as they arrived, a strange sickness befell the people there. Then the bell appeared every night at the bedside of Kazumasa who fell ill and it cried, “I want to go home”. So eventually, the bell was returned to Kokubunji. Unlike when it was transported to the castle, there was a second legend that this time, that even if a small number of people were able to carry it lightly. The bad illness was cured as soon as the bell returned to Kokubunji, and its beautiful tone was heard again.

The highlights of Kokubunji

The cornerstone of the Nara period remains. (Kondo ruins / seven-storied pagoda) A large black pine tree stands on the large grounds.
Main hall, temple bell, cornerstone (Kondo ruins, Shichitou ruins), Daishido (the Daishi statue can be seen directly), Benzaiten (Kokubunji is enshrined with the red Bentoten in the Sanuki Shichifukujin.)

Annual events at Kokubunji

Training for the Mizuko General School

Date: From 14:00 on the first Sunday of June

Temple 80 Fudasho: Hakugyzan Senjuin Kokubunji

Access

Location

Kokubunjicho Kokubu 2065, Takamatsu, Kagawa 769-0102

Tel

087-874-0033

Parking

Available (free, about 20 cars)

Shukubo
(TempleLodging)

None

Website

http://sanukikokubunji.jp/

Social Media

• On foot: 4 minutes on foot from JR Kokubu Station (14 minutes on foot from Kokubu Station JR Takamatsu / Sakaide Station)
• By car: 9 minutes from Fuchuko IC / 12 minutes from Takamatsu Danshi IC
• In the case of highway bus: There is highway bus (foot bus) for the Kansai area (12 minutes on foot from the stop)highway bus
• Airplane: 30 minutes by car from Takamatsu Airport
• Shinkansen: Transfer to Seto Ohashi in Okayama, about 14 minutes from Sakaide Station

⇒ Google map