Shichōhōzan Kanonji Temple

Overview

Shichōhōzan Kanonji Temple is a temple of the Shingon sect's Daikakuji branch located in Kanonji City, Kagawa Prefecture. It's the 69th temple on the 88-temple Shikoku Pilgrimage and shares the grounds with the 68th temple, Jingu-in. This historic temple houses the principal image of Sho Kannon Bosatsu and welcomes many pilgrims and tourists. The temple's history is ancient. According to legend, it began when Nissho, a priest of the Hossō sect, was practicing asceticism on Kotohikiyama mountain. He saw a boat with an old man playing a koto (a traditional Japanese string instrument) on the sea. Realizing the old man was Hachiman Daimyōjin (a Shinto deity), the priest enshrined the koto and the boat, naming it Kotohiki Hachiman-gu Shrine. Later, Kanonji Temple was established as its Jingū-ji (shrine temple) and was called Jingū-ji Hōkō-in. According to temple tradition, after Gyōki visited in 722 AD, Kūkai (Kōbō Daishi) became the 7th chief priest in 807 AD. He modeled it after Kōfuku-ji Temple in Nara, carving a statue of Kannon Bosatsu for the main hall (chūkondō), and creating a seven-hall complex that included a west hall (seikondō) housing a Jōroku Yakushi Nyorai (a Yakushi Nyorai statue of monumental size) and an east hall (tōkondō) housing a statue of Miroku Bosatsu. He also built a pagoda on this site, embedding seven treasures (shichōhō) – lapis lazuli, coral, carnelian, etc. – in the ground during its foundation, hence the temple's name, Shichōhōzan Kanonji. Later, the temple's title was changed to Jingu-in. Kanonji Temple became a temple under imperial patronage for three generations of emperors, starting with Emperor Kanmu, and flourished during the Muromachi period when Michitaka Daishō-daisōjō, son of Ashikaga Takauji, served as chief priest for 45 years. However, it suffered several fires. The current main hall was rebuilt in 1677 AD. Kanonji Temple offers not only a glimpse into history and culture but also a tranquil space for peace of mind. The grounds contain many precious cultural assets including the main hall, designated as a National Important Cultural Property, and the rare Buddhist Nirvana statue. Also, Jingu-in Temple is located on the same grounds and can be visited together. Like Kanonji Temple, Jingu-in is also one of the temples on the Shikoku Pilgrimage, with Senju Kannon Bosatsu as its principal image. Why not explore the history and culture of the Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage by visiting Shichōhōzan Kanonji Temple and Jingu-in?