Contents
Imakumano-kannon-ji Temple
After crossing the red torii bridge, you are greeted by the statue of Kobo Daishi, who founded the temple. It is one of the sub-temples in Shingon sect Sennyuji-ha and is the 15th temple of the 33 Saigoku Kannon Pilgrimage Site. The eleven-faced Kannon statue, which is said to have been made by Kobo Daishi Kukai, is enshrined in the main hall. The retired Emperor Go-shirakawa suffered from headaches for many years, he was healed by the Kannon Bodhisattva, it is widely worshiped as headache-sealing Kannon (Headache Preventing Temple). The temple was burned down by Onin War, after that, it was reconstructed.
History of the temple
After Kukai returned from Tang dynasty, he carved a statue of Kannon and enshrined it. That is said to be the beginning of the temple. In 812, with the support of Emperor Saga, he built various halls and founded as a temple for avoiding diseases and disasters. After that, the temple became a vast area, and the construction was completed in 855.
Kumano, Kishu Province has long been known as the center of worship of Kannon. In the late Heian period, during the time of Emperor Shirakawa, the land of Imakumano also became a place of worship of Kannon.
Funerals and memorial services for the Imperial Family were held at Kanonji Temple, and the temple prospered with the reverence of successive emperors.
Daishi-do Hall and a god of senility prevention
There is Daishi-do Hall that enshrines Kobo Daishi, and “Boke Fuji Kannon stands in front of the hall, which is widely believed by many people as a god of senility prevention.
Gochi no Ido, the well
It is a spirit spring that sprang up when Kobo Daishi was looking for a suitable sacred place to worship Kannon, it is named Gochi-sui. It still springs up and gives us the water of the blessing.
Isei-do, Taho-to Tower
As you climb the small mountain on the east side of the main hall, you will find a bright vermilion-painted Taho-to tower named Isei-do Hall. It was erected with the wish of human health along with medicine and religion. Many people who have contributed to a medical community are enshrined.
a pilgrimage to the thirty-three Kannon temples
On the approach to the Taho-to Tower, which is said to be Isei-do Halll, each principal image of the 33 sacred sites in Saigoku (western Japan) is enshrined as a stone Buddha. You can pilgrimage from No. 1 to No. 33.
You can pilgrimage in the quiet and sacred air.
Access
15 minutes walk from the city bus stop “Sennyuji-ji Mich”.
Click here for information of SENNYU-ji Temple.
