Virtual Hiki Saigoku 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #9 Nosho-ji Temple

 

     If Tenjin Shrine was founded in Nakayama first, Nosho-ji Temple was founded as its shrine temple.  If Nosho-ji Temple was founded first, Tenjin, the apotheosis of Sugawara Michizane (845-903), was invited to the temple’s precincts.  Anyway, the temple was abolished after the Meiji Restoration, with Tenjin Shrine, Kannon-do Hall, and others left.

     "Nosho" literally means potency, and the temple's sango is Bairin, namely Japanese Apricot Trees, whose flowers Michizane loved.  As Michizane was known as a god of learning and study, the temple might have been founded after the invitation of Tenjin.

Sugawara Michizane (845-903) was shunted to the Kyushu Region in 901.  After Michizane died in indignation, people were afraid of his curse and dedicated Tenman-gu shrines across the country.  As Michizane’s deified name was Tenmantenjin, the shrines are also known as Tenjin Shrines.

Nakayama-Tenjin Shrine

Address: 1234 Nakayama, Kawajima, Hiki District, Saitama 350-0165