Virtual Old Awa 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #16 Sekigan-ji Temple

 

     Sekigan-ji Temple used to be located along the ridge of the Mineoka Mountain District  in the Boso Hill Range in the southern part of Chiba Prefecture.  Its main deity was the statue of Ekadasamukha, who had 11 faces, which was carved by Kukai (774-835), according to tradition.

The temple was burned down in old times, and was rebuilt on the Kannon Height.  It was burned down again in the first half of the 18th century, and was rebuilt again in the latter half of the century.

     In 1900, the temple was burned down again together with the Ekadasamukha statue.  The temple was merged with Saifuku-in Temple nearby in 1906.  In 1907, a new Avalokitesvar hall was built in the precincts of Saifuku-in Temple, which was renamed Shogen-ji then.  Mysteriously, or mistakenly, it was an Arya Avalokitesvar statue that was enshrined in the hall then .  In 2010, the mistake, whether it was intentional or unintentional, was corrected and an Ekadasamukha statue was newly enshrined in the hall.

Address: 374 Shimo-Kohara, Kamogawa, Chiba 296-0102

Phone: 04-7097-0183