Jizoji Temple
地蔵寺
History of the temple
Jizoji Temple was founded by Kobo Daishi in 821, under the instruction of Emperor Saga (who ruled from 809-823). According to legend Kobo Daishi carved a 5.5 cm statue of Shogun Jizo Bosatsu (Winning Army Earth Treasury) and enshrined it as the principal image of the temple. Three generations of emperors, Emperor Saga (reigned 809-823), Emperor Junna (reigned 823-833), and Emperor Nimei (reignJokan Shonin, a former high priest of Kumano Gongen in Kishu (present-day Wakayama and western Mie), carved a statue of Enmei Jizo Bosatsu (Earth Treasury of Long Life) from a sacred tree. Jokan Shonin, a former high priest of Kumano Gongen in Kishu (present-day Wakayama and western Mie), carved a statue of Enmei Jizo Bosatsu (Earth Treasury of Long Life) from a sacred tree. Jokan Shonin, a former high priest of Kumano Gongen in Kishu (present-day Wakayama and western Mie), carved a statue of Enmei Jizo Bosatsu (Earth Treasury of Long Life) from a sacred tree. ed 833-850), became devotees of the temple.
Jokan Shonin, a former high priest of Kumano Gongen in Kishu (present-day Wakayama and western Mie), carved a statue of Enmei Jizo Bosatsu (Earth Treasury of Long Life) from a sacred tree. Inside the statue's womb was Shogun Jizo Bosatsu created by Kobo Daishi. Many warlords, including Minamoto no Yoritomo, Yoshitsune, and the Hachisuka family, donated money to the temple, expanding its territory. There were also 300 branch temples and 26 sub-temples in the three provinces of Awa, Sanuki, and Iyo to commemorate high priests' deaths.
During the Tensho period (1573-1592), Chosokabe Motochika burned all the temples in Awa (Tokushima). Later, they were renovated and expanded by successive generations of monks and benefactors. The temple grounds now cover 40,000 square meters. The Rakando (Arhat Hall), was built in 1775 and originally had 500 statues of arhats. A fire in 1915 caused by a careless visitor resulted in the loss of many statues, leaving only around 200 today with various expressions on their faces.
The ginkgo tree on the temple grounds is more than 800 years old and is believed to hold the history of the temple.
Highlights
Gohyaku Rakan (Five Hundred Arhats)
Arhat statues with varying expressions of emotion are displayed in Rakando, a short walk from Hondo or a quick drive from the temple parking lot. Entrance fee is 200 yen.
Suikinkutsu
A water piano cave, known as Suikinkutsu, is located on the left after entering the temple gate. The cave is filled with the clear tone of dripping water echoing throughout.
Others
Statue of Shogun Jizo Bosatsu
Awashimado
Annual Events
Ogomaku (Outdoor Goma fire ritual): 1st Sunday in March
Details
Address: Temple 5, Mujinzan Shōgonin Jizōji
Denomination: Shingon sect, Omuroha
HONZON: Enmei Jizo, Shogun Jizo and Buddha in Womb
Founder: Kobo Daishi
Founded: 821
Mantra of Jizo: On Kakabi Sanma-ei Sowaka
Access
Address: 5, Hayashihigashi, Rakan, Itano Town, Itano District, Tokushima 779-0114
Phone: 088-672-4111
Parking: 50 cars, 20 microbuses, 10 buses, free of charge
Lodging: None
Official website: None
Driving Directions: From the Aizumi Interchange, take Prefectural Route 1 toward Itano. Next, take Prefectural Route 12 toward Itano town and Kamiita town. Turn right at the intersection with Prefectural Road No. 34.
Jizoji Temple was founded by Kobo Daishi in 821, under the instruction of Emperor Saga (who ruled from 809-823). According to legend Kobo Daishi carved a 5.5 cm statue of Shogun Jizo Bosatsu (Winning Army Earth Treasury) and enshrined it as the principal image of the temple. Three generations of emperors, Emperor Saga (reigned 809-823), Emperor Junna (reigned 823-833), and Emperor Nimei (reignJokan Shonin, a former high priest of Kumano Gongen in Kishu (present-day Wakayama and western Mie), carved a statue of Enmei Jizo Bosatsu (Earth Treasury of Long Life) from a sacred tree. Jokan Shonin, a former high priest of Kumano Gongen in Kishu (present-day Wakayama and western Mie), carved a statue of Enmei Jizo Bosatsu (Earth Treasury of Long Life) from a sacred tree. Jokan Shonin, a former high priest of Kumano Gongen in Kishu (present-day Wakayama and western Mie), carved a statue of Enmei Jizo Bosatsu (Earth Treasury of Long Life) from a sacred tree. ed 833-850), became devotees of the temple.
Jokan Shonin, a former high priest of Kumano Gongen in Kishu (present-day Wakayama and western Mie), carved a statue of Enmei Jizo Bosatsu (Earth Treasury of Long Life) from a sacred tree. Inside the statue's womb was Shogun Jizo Bosatsu created by Kobo Daishi. Many warlords, including Minamoto no Yoritomo, Yoshitsune, and the Hachisuka family, donated money to the temple, expanding its territory. There were also 300 branch temples and 26 sub-temples in the three provinces of Awa, Sanuki, and Iyo to commemorate high priests' deaths.
During the Tensho period (1573-1592), Chosokabe Motochika burned all the temples in Awa (Tokushima). Later, they were renovated and expanded by successive generations of monks and benefactors. The temple grounds now cover 40,000 square meters. The Rakando (Arhat Hall), was built in 1775 and originally had 500 statues of arhats. A fire in 1915 caused by a careless visitor resulted in the loss of many statues, leaving only around 200 today with various expressions on their faces.
The ginkgo tree on the temple grounds is more than 800 years old and is believed to hold the history of the temple.
Highlights
Gohyaku Rakan (Five Hundred Arhats)
Arhat statues with varying expressions of emotion are displayed in Rakando, a short walk from Hondo or a quick drive from the temple parking lot. Entrance fee is 200 yen.
Suikinkutsu
A water piano cave, known as Suikinkutsu, is located on the left after entering the temple gate. The cave is filled with the clear tone of dripping water echoing throughout.
Others
Statue of Shogun Jizo Bosatsu
Awashimado
Annual Events
Ogomaku (Outdoor Goma fire ritual): 1st Sunday in March
Details
Address: Temple 5, Mujinzan Shōgonin Jizōji
Denomination: Shingon sect, Omuroha
HONZON: Enmei Jizo, Shogun Jizo and Buddha in Womb
Founder: Kobo Daishi
Founded: 821
Mantra of Jizo: On Kakabi Sanma-ei Sowaka
Access
Address: 5, Hayashihigashi, Rakan, Itano Town, Itano District, Tokushima 779-0114
Phone: 088-672-4111
Parking: 50 cars, 20 microbuses, 10 buses, free of charge
Lodging: None
Official website: None
Driving Directions: From the Aizumi Interchange, take Prefectural Route 1 toward Itano. Next, take Prefectural Route 12 toward Itano town and Kamiita town. Turn right at the intersection with Prefectural Road No. 34.
- Regions
- East
- Themes
- Culture and Art
