Virtual Akashi 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #21 Nyoi-ji Temple

 

     Nyoi-ji Temple was founded by Nun Gansai sometime between 990 and 995.

     Gansai's father was Urabe Masachika (?-948).  The Urabe Clan lived in Katsuragi County, Yamato Province, served the god of Katsuragi, and worked for the Imperial Court as fortune-tellers.  Fortune-telling is "uranai" in Japanese, from which the clan's name comes from.  Gansai's mother belonged to the Kiyohara Clan.  She must have been 1 or 2 generations older than Sei Shonagon (966-1025), who also belonged to the same clan, and who was a famous essayist and tanka composer.  Gansai belonged to a line of intellectuals.

     According to an excavation, the original temple had the main hall and the Jogyo-Zanmai-do hall.  Jogyo Zammai is the Buddhist practice in which monks walk around Amidabha for 90 days while chanting Nianfo and thinking of Amidabha in their hearts.  Therefore, the hall is square with Amidabha enshrined in the center, and often has a tented roof.

     Nyoi-ji Temple was first documented in 1152.

     Nyoi means to have everything my own way and the temple’s Buddhist tanka poem is:

Nyoi-ji Temple, which reflects lotus leaves,

Is where to pray

Your own way.

Address: 259 Hasetanicho, Nishi Ward, Kobe, Hyogo 651-2237

Phone: 078-991-0009