Kōzō-ji (Kisarazu, Chiba)
| Kōzō-ji 高蔵寺 | |
|---|---|
 Kōzō-ji Kannon-dō (Hondō) | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Buddhism |
| Deity | Shō-Kannon |
| Rite | Shingon-shu Buzan-ha |
| Location | |
| Location | 1245 Yana, Kisarazu-shi, Chiba-ken 292-0812 |
| Country | Japan |
  Shown within Chiba Prefecture  Kōzō-ji (Kisarazu, Chiba) (Japan) | |
| Geographic coordinates | 35°20′19.7″N 139°59′40″E / 35.338806°N 139.99444°E |
| Architecture | |
| Founder | c.Emperor Yōmei |
| Completed | c. 585-587 |
| Website | |
| takakurakannon | |
Kōzō-ji (高蔵寺) is a Buddhist temple located in the Yana neighbourhood of the city of Kisarazu, Chiba Prefecture, Japan.[1] It belongs to the Shingon-shu Buzan-ha sect and its honzon is a statue of Sho-Kannon Bosatsu (Āryāvalokiteśvara). The temple's full name is Heiya-san Kōzō-ji (平野山 笠森寺).The temple is the 30th stop on the Bandō Sanjūsankasho pilgrimage route.[2] The temple is also known as the "Takakura Kannon", and amulets issued by the temple are highly valued throughout Japan.[3]
Overview
The foundation of this temple is uncertain. According to the temple's legend, Kōzō-ji was founded in the Asuka period during the brief reign of Emperor Yōmei, father of Prince Shōtoku, and a vocal supporter of Buddhism. Later, the priest Gyōki built and dedicated the temple to the Kannon after having seen the bodhisattava in a vision. The area around the temple is associated with the mother of Fujiwara no Kamatari (614 – 669), a statesman, courtier and politician of the Nara period. Kamatari's mother despaired of giving birth to a son, but was told in a vision at this temple that she should visit Kashima Shrine, after which she gave birth to Fujiwara no Kamatari. Afterwards, the temple was rebuilt on a grand scale by Kamatari into a shichidō garan with a three-story Japanese pagoda.[4] The subsequent history of the temple is largely obscure, but it was extensively rebuilt in 1526.
Kōzō-ji is in the Yano District of Kisarazu, which is one hour by bus from Kisarazu Station on the JR East Uchibō Line and Kururi Line.
Cultural Properties
Kisarazu City Tangible Cultural Properties
- Kannon-dō (観音堂), Sengoku period. The Main Hall of the temple is a multi-story structure with a irimoya-zukuri style hip roof that slopes down on all four sides and integrates on two opposing sides with a gable. It was probably constructed in 1526. The temple's Sanmon and Shōrō are also designated as Kisarazu City Tangible Cultural Properties.[5] The honzon Kannon statue was formerly a hibutsu hidden image is 3.6 metres (11.8 ft) high, and is made of a single piece of wood from a camphor tree. It is now on view to the general public.
Observances
- February 2 -- Setsubun observance of the beginning of spring
- March -- Vernal Equinox Higan service
- August 18—Kannon Festival
- August 24 -- Segakie, a memorial service
- September -- Autumnal Equinox Higan service
- December -- 'Joya no Kane', ringing of the temple bell 108 times for the New Year[6]
References
- ^ Chiba-ken Kōtō Gakkō Kyōiku Kenkyūkai Rekishi Bukai (1989), Chiba-ken no rekishi sanpo (in Japanese) (1st ed., rev. ed.), Yamakawa Shuppansha, p. 58, ISBN 978-4-634-29120-1
- ^ Yuichi Kobayashi (2020). 坂東三十三ヶ所札所めぐり 観音霊場巡礼ルートガイド. Meitsu shuppan. ISBN 4780426049.
- ^ 高蔵寺（木更津市） Archived 2012-04-26 at the Wayback Machine (in Japanese)
- ^ 高蔵寺（木更津市） Archived 2012-04-26 at the Wayback Machine (in Japanese)
- ^ "高蔵寺 施設ご紹介" (in Japanese). Kōzō home page. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
- ^ 第30番 平野山 高蔵寺（高倉観音） Archived 2012-04-21 at the Wayback Machine (in Japanese)
External links
- Official home page
- Bando Pilgrimage Site (in Japanese)