Virtual Kawabe 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #30 Shozen-ji Temple

 

     Some say Shozen-ji Temple was founded in Nakashoji Village, Kawabe County, Settsu Province, in 1589.  Others say it was founded by Priest Shin'yo, who died 1643, in 1633.  Some others say Shin'yo died in 1633.  So, the foundation of the temple is a mystery.

     The temple burned down in fire in 1702 and was rebuilt in 1724.  In 1702, the fire broke out in Nakashoji Village, spread north, and reached around today's Kitahonmachi Park, burning down 439 houses.

     The temple gate is supposed to date back to the 17th century, so it could have been built when the temple was founded and might have survived the fire.  The gate employs Yakui-mon Style.  The Yakuimon Style gates were first constructed in the late Kamakura Period (1185-1333) or early Muromachi Period (1336-1573). They were initially used in samurai residences and noble residences, but eventually came to be used in temples and shrines as well.  2 supporting pillars are installed behind the 2 main pillars to distribute the load and ensure structural stability. They generally have double swing doors.

     The temple’s main deity is the Amidabha triad standing statue with the images of Arya Avalokitesvara, who is the human-figure prototype of the other 6 metamorphoses, and Mahasthamaprapta on right and left.  The statue is supposed to have been made in the middle of the Edo Period (1603-1867), so it could have been made after the fire.

     After the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake, the main hall was rebuilt in 1996 as a two-story  reinforced concrete building.

Address: 2 Chome-8-30 Central, Itami, Hyogo 664-0851

Phone: 072-775-0221

Kitahonmachi Park

Address: 1 Chome Kitahonmachi, Itami, Hyogo 664-0836