Virtual Sakai 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #15 Sanpo-ji Temple

 

     Shinko-zan Sanpo-ji Temple used to be located in Kojindo-suji, Tera-machi, Higashi 3-cho, Teraji-cho, Sakai.  Kojin is a Chinese-style notation and, partly, pronunciation of Ara-mitama.  The Japanese word mitama refers to the spirit of a kami or a god.  The Ara-Mitama is the rough and violent side of a spirit.  Ara-mitama could curse and bring about misfortune without appropriate pacification rites and worship.  It is unknown what the Sakai people were afraid of as something rough and violent.

     The Kojin stone statue was enshrined in the Kojin-do Hall in the precincts.  It is 90 centi-meters tall, 60 centi-meters wide, and 27 centi-meters thick.  Its inscription on the back says it originally belonged to Seicho-ji Temple, which was destroyed in fire in battle.

     According to Sakai Kagami, the Sakai Topography, which was compiled in 1689, the statue was subsequently excavated from the pond in today's Imaikecho, Sakai Ward, Sakai, Osaka 590-0018, and was enshrined in today's Aguchi Shrine. (Sakai Inspection) In December, 1521, it was moved to today's 3 Chome Terajichohigashi, Sakai Ward, Sakai, Osaka 590-0962.  Therefore, it became customary for the priests of today's Aguchi Shrine to attend the annual burning service in November.  Sanpo-ji Temple was abolished in 1912, and the temple site was owned by the city, and the stone statue was moved to Shoho-ji Temple.

     Sanpo-ji Temple was a branch of Nenbutsu-ji Temple, which was Aguchi Shrine’s shrine temple, and which might have been abolished after the Meiji Restoration Government issued the Gods and Buddhas Separation Order in 1868.

Aguchi Shrine

Address: 2 Chome-1-29 Kainochohigashi, Sakai Ward, Sakai, Osaka 590-0953

Phone: 072-221-0171