Jigen-in Temple

Overview

Jigen-in Temple is a Mahayana Buddhist temple of the Onjo-ha sect located in Hineno, Izumisano City, Osaka Prefecture. Its mountain name is Dahizan, and its principal image is Yakushi Nyorai (Bhaishajyaguru). According to tradition, it was founded in 673 AD (during the reign of Emperor Tenmu) as a royal temple and also as a temple associated with Hineno Shrine, under the name of Isekizan Ganjoji Mubenguan by the monk Kakogo Ajari. During the Nara period's Tempyo era (729-749 AD), it became a royal temple under Emperor Shomu, with its temple lands expanded by 1,000 koku (a unit of rice yield). It's said that in 815 AD (弘仁 6), Kukai (Kobo Daishi) reconstructed the main hall, Tahoto pagoda, and other structures. In 1353 AD (正平 8), it was burned down during wartime. Subsequently, it was rebuilt under the imperial orders of Emperors Go-Murakami and Go-Kameyama. Jigen-in is located in Hineno-sho (日根荘), which was a manor of the Kujyo family, one of the Go-Sekke (five regent families). From 1501 to 1504, the former regent Kujyo Masamoto resided in Hineno, directly managing the estate and leaving behind the diary "Masamoto-ko Tabihiki-tsuke" (held by the Imperial Household Agency Archives). In 1585 AD (天正 13), the entire temple complex of Mubenguan, except for the main hall and Tahoto pagoda, was burned down during Hideyoshi Hashiba's Kishu campaign. Then, in 1602 AD (慶長 7), Hideyori Toyotomi began the reconstruction of the temple buildings, erecting structures such as Oku-no-bo, Yama-no-bo, Myo-o-in, Kaitei-in, Ina-no-bo, Naka-no-bo, Shimo-no-bo (currently the Hineno Shrine office), Togyo-ji, Kami-no-bo, Myojin-sha, Kannon-do, Bishamondo, and Gomado. During the Kanbun era (1661-1673), it was repaired by Okaba Yukitaka, the feudal lord of Kishiwada Domain. In 1665 AD (寛文 5), Naka-no-bo received its current name, "Jigen-in," from the head priest of Ninna-ji Temple, becoming a branch temple of Ninna-ji. During the Meiji period, the separation of Shinto and Buddhism resulted in Mubenguan's separation from the adjacent Hineno Shrine. Furthermore, Mubenguan and its various sub-temples were abandoned, leaving only Jigen-in. The current sect is Shingon-shu Onjo-ha. The temple grounds include the main hall, kitchen, Kondo (Bishamondo, Important Cultural Property), Tahoto pagoda (National Treasure), gardens, stone Buddha statues, a monument commemorating the beginning of Western-style leather making in Japan (Meiji period), the outer gate, a statue of Kobo Daishi, a bell tower (located outside the temple grounds), and the Jigen-in's姥桜 (ubazakura, a type of cherry blossom) designated as a natural monument of Osaka Prefecture. Jigen-in is a valuable place where you can experience history and culture. You can see various cultural properties, including the National Treasure Tahoto pagoda. A stroll through the quiet grounds will also refresh your mind and body. Please visit Jigen-in Temple when you visit Osaka Prefecture.