Virtual Ika 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #15 Shakugo-ji Temple

     Shakugo-ji Temple has 2 main deities: Arya Avalokitesvara and Ekadasamukha, who has 11 faces.  Ashikaga Takauji (1305-1358) gave a manor to the temple.

     In May, 1583, the Battle of Shizugatake broke out between Toyotomi Hideyoshi  (1536-1598) and Shibata Katsuie (1522-1583).  The battles caused the temple to burn down.  The villagers saved the statue in the river, with 2 stones as pillows, which are still kept in the temple.

The statues have been damaged so much that they have lost their arms, hands, some faces, and toes.  Without toes, they looked likely to fall down.  And eventually they came to be called Korori Kannon (Fall Down Avalokitesvara).

     The Japanese phrase “ korori” is used to die suddenly without being bedridden.  Some old people visit the temple to pray for being in good health until the very day of their death.  Especially on July 10 every year, many elderly people visit the temple.  It is believed that one-day visit on the day is worth visiting for 1,000 days.