Virtual Arima County 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #24 Sanko-san Taifuku-ji Temple

 

     Mount Hatsuka has been a holy place since prehistoric days.  The Hasokushi Manor was developed along the Hatsuka River and owned by Shitenno-ji Temple, which was founded by Prince Shotoku (574-622), whose wet nurse is said to be from the manor.  Taifuku-ji Temple is said to be as old as Shitenno-ji Temple.

     Mount Hatsuka could have been pronounced Mount Hatsukashi and the Hatsuka River could have been pronounced Hatsushika River.

     Taifuku-ji Temple holds the Taishi Matsuri, or the Prince Festival, every year on February 11th.  This event welcomes children born in the Ikuno area the previous year and the children who have moved there as members of the community.  In honor of Prince Shotoku, visitors are presented with a "Sparrow's Head," which is an intangible folk cultural asset designated by Kobe City, in hopes of the healthy development of wisdom.  Over 200 sparrows are made in pairs, with males measuring approximately 17 centimeters and females approximately 15 centimeters.  The nutgall tree wood is painted with ink and food coloring red.  The nests are made from unpainted Japanese bigleaf magnolia wood carved into a flower-like shape, approximately 15 centimeters in diameter.  Over 100 of the pairs are made.  On the day of the festival, the sparrows and nests are attached to bamboo stalks and displayed around the altar, impaled on bundles of straw.

Address: 148 Dojocho, Kita Ward, Kobe, Hyogo 651-1503

Phone: 078-985-4163