Virtual Shimousa 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #20 Saien-ji Temple

     Saien-ji Temple was founded in 1515, and merged Saifuku-ji Temple in 1953, when the temple was renamed Saiei-ji.

     A statue of Arya Avalokitesvara, who is the human-figure prototype of the other 6 metamorphoses, was carved in 1539, presumably when Hanawa Fort was built by Hiramoto Sadatora, a vassal of Takagi Tanetada (?-1546) and his son, Taneyoshi (1501-1565).  The statue was enshrined in the fort and was maintained by Saifuku-ji Temple in Shimo-Hanawa.

The Arya Avalokitesvara statue is locally known as the Late Riser Avalokitesvara.  One day, Amitabha summoned a meeting but the Avalokitesvara was late because she/he overslept.

     Watanuki Emon presented the picture of 16 Guardians of the Mahaprajnaparamita Sutra.  The Watanuki Family managed the Kogane Stock Farms for the Tokugawa Shogunate.  The farms raised horses for military use.  They caught half-wild horses, chose good ones, and sent them to Edo.  The fact also demonstrates how diversified the Takagi Family's management was.

Saiei-ji Temple

Address: 230 Kirigaya, Nagareyama, Chiba 270-0172

Phone: 04-7158-0846