Virtual Ika 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #19 Kannon-ji Temple

     Gyoki  (668-749) is said to have founded Kannon-ji Temple.  As we have many Kannon-ji Temples around Japan, it is commonly called Kuroda Kannon-ji.

The Kannon statue in the temple is presumed to have been carved in the 8th century.  Folklore has it that it is Sahasrabhuja, who has 1,000 arms, but some argue that it is Cundi, who has 16 arms and appears to be female.  The statue actually has 18 arms.