Hozan-ji

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Hozan-ji(宝山寺 Hozanji) is a Buddhist temple, in Monzenmachi, Ikoma, Nara, Japan. The other name is 'Ikoma-Shoten'(生駒聖天）.

[edit] History

The area around Hozan-ji was originally a place in Mount Ikoma for training of Buddhist monks. The name of this place at that time was Daisho-Mudo-ji(大聖無動寺）. Mount Ikoma was originally an object of worship for the ancient people in the region, and so this area was selected as a place for the religious training. The training area is said to have opened in 655 by Enno-Gyoja. Many Buddhist monks including Kukai(空海) are said to have trained in this place.

The beginning of Hozan-ji itself started when Tankai(湛海) re-opened this training area in the 17th century. Tankai set up a stature of Kankiten at this place in 1678. This year is an official year when Hozan-ji established.

In Yedo period, this temple was one of the most popular Buddhist temples in this region.

[edit] Cultural Property

This temple has national important cultural properties selected by the Japanese government.

  • Shishi-Kaku Building(獅子閣)
  • Five statues of Zushiiri-Mokuzo-Godai-Myoo(厨子入木造五大明王像)
  • Kenpon-Chosyoku-Kasuga-Mandara-zu(絹本著色春日曼荼羅図)
  • Kenpon-Choshoku-Aizen-Myooo(絹本著色愛染明王像)
  • Kenpon-Choshoku-Miroku-Bosatsu(絹本著色弥勒菩薩像)
  • Five volumes of No-hon, written by Zeami(世阿弥能本)

[edit] Access

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