Kanno-ji
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Kanno-ji (神呪寺) is a Buddhist temple in the middle of Mount Kabutoyama in Nishinomiya, Hyogo, Japan. The other name of the temple is Kabutoyama-Daishi(甲山大師).
Contents |
[edit] Objects of Worship
The original object of worship at this temple was Mount Kabutoyama. In this region, Mount Kabutoyama was believed as 'a mountain of god'. Until Yedo period, the temple was a mixture of Shintoism and Buddhism, as many Japanese temples or shrines. Today, the main object of worship at this temple is a statue of Nyoirin(如意輪半跏像). The statue of Nyoirin is known as one of the three famous Nyoirin statues in Japan, with those of Kawachi-Kannon-ji temple in Osaka Prefecture and Muro-ji temple in Nara Prefecture.
[edit] History
According to Genko-Shakusho(元亨釈書), a famous history book on Japanese Buddhism written in 14th century, Kanno-ji was established by the forth queen of Emperor Junna. Although another history book, Teio-Hennnenki, wrote that Ujikimi Tachibana(橘氏公) and Shunjo Mihara(三原春上) established the temple by the order of Empress Masako, the first queen of Emperor Junna in 827.
Genko-Shakusho wrote that the forth queen of Emperor Junna secretly escaped from the Royal Palace in Kyoto and moved to Mount Kabutoyama in 828 with Kukai's help. Kukai made a statue of Nyoirin of woods in Mount Kabutoyama in 830, and built the main building of the temple next year.
[edit] Cultural Property
This temple has four national important cultural properties selected by the Japanese government.
- Nyoirin-Kannon-Zazo(木造如意輪観音坐像), Heian Period
- Hijiri-Kannon-Ritsuzo(木造聖観音立像), Heian Period
- Fudomyoo-Zazo(不動明王坐像), Kamakura Period
- Kobodaishi-Zazo(弘法大師坐像), Kamakura Period
[edit] Access
- Koyoen Station of Hankyu Koyoen Line
- Kabutoyama-daishi-mae Bus Stop of Hankyu Bus or Hanshin Bus
