Virtual Sakai 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #24 Jigan-ji Temple

 

     A small islet appeared off the Sakai Beach in 1664.  In 1666, a holy turtle image was dug out there.  In April, 1693, a shrine was built for the holy turtle to guard the islet, with the religious service performed by Priest Raiben of Kangetsu-in Temple.  It was named Benzaiten Shrine, and Reiki-san Jigen-in Temple was built nearby.  The shrine was served by the head priest of the temple.

     In 1704, Yamato River was reinfigured south to its present waterway and the Sakai Port was gradually filled with its sediments.  The people involved in the port heard a rumor that praying to the dragon god would disperse the mud and sand.  They consulted and hired the head priest of Zenpo-ji Temple and founded Ebisu-jima Jigen-in Temple in 1786.  Later, in 1835, Ryujin-do Hall was built in the precincts of Zenpo-ji Temple, and the dragon god image previously enshrined at Jigen-in Temple was enshrined in the hall.  Zenpo-ji Temple used to be located in today’s 1 Chome Ohama Nakamachi, Sakai Ward, Sakai, Osaka 590-0975.

     Jigan-ji Temple was abolished after the Meiji Restoration Government issued the Gods and Buddhas Separation Order in 1868 and the shrine became an independent Shinto shrine, renamed Ebisu-sha Shrine, which was merged to Sugawara Shrine in 1951.  When Ebisu Park, or Xavier Park, was constructed from 1947 to 1949, the temple's site became part of the park.  Zenpo-ji Temple was also abolished after the Meiji Restoration with its Ryujin-do Hall left.

Jigan-in Temple Site

Address: 1 Chome−1, Kushiyachonishi, Sakai Ward, Sakai, Osaka 590-0949

Kangetsu-in Temple

Address: 1 Chome-2-13 Minamihanchonishi, Sakai Ward, Sakai, Osaka 590-0967

Phone: 072-232-5117

Ryujin-do Shrine

Address: 2 Chome-3-12 Ryujinbashicho, Sakai Ward, Sakai, Osaka 590-0971

Sugawara Shrine

Address: 2 Chome-1-38 Ebisunochohigashi, Sakai Ward, Sakai, Osaka 590-0945

Phone: 072-232-2450

Ebisu Park (Xavier Park)

Address: 1 Chome-1 Kushiyachonishi, Sakai Ward, Sakai, Osaka 590-0949

Phone: 072-232-1489