Virtual New Innami County 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #13 An'yo-ji Temple

 

     An'yo-ji Temple was founded in 737, when the 735–737 Japanese smallpox epidemic broke out, by Imperial decree of Emperor Obito (701-756).  Its main deity is the statue of Amitabha, which is said to have been carved by Gyoki (668-749) from a sacred tree on Mount Tiantai in China.  That is why the temple's sango is Seirai-zan.  Seirai means Western Origin.  Its jigo is from "May all sentient beings attain Buddhahood and be guided to the Pure Land of An'yo (to calm minds and to support bodies)."

      In 1322, Akamatsu Norimura (1277-1350), Kodera Yorisue, and Oshio Norikage volunteered to invite Priest Chikuo, a disciple of Priest Eisai (1141-1215), who founded Kennin-ji Temple in Kyoto, to be their Chan master.

     In 1441, when Akamatsu Mitsusuke (1381-1441) killed the reigning Ashikaga shogunate, Ashikaga Yoshinori (1394-1441), and the Kakitsu incident broke out, the temple was completely destroyed by fire.

     In 1467, Akamatsu Masanori (1455-1496) admired Priest Enko and appointed him as the head priest.  He donated land, and constructed more than 17 temple buildings.

     In 1577, when Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1536-1598) attacked Gochaku Castle, the temple buildings were all destroyed by fire.  The main deity, the Amitabuha statue, escaped the flames, and Priest Gyozan built a hermitage to enshrine it.

     In 1600, the temple was revived by Arao Takashige, who was a senior retainer of Ikeda Terumasa (1565-1613), the 1st lord of the Himeji Domain.  A five-ringed stone pagoda was erected, and one of Terumasa's teeth was enshrined within.

     In 1619, ​​Priest Senkaku transferred the temple to the Caodong Chan Sect.

     In September, 1821, it became the 13th member temple of the Inami County 33 Kannon Pilgrimage.

     A few say that the Bessho Family, who were based in Miki Castle, was from today's Besshocho Bessho, Himeji, Hyogo 671-0221.

Address: 649 Besshocho Bessho, Himeji, Hyogo 671-0221

Phone: 079-253-5015

Gochaku Castle Site Park

Address: Mikuninocho, Himeji, Hyogo 671-0232

Bessho Residence Site

Address: Besshocho Bessho, Himeji, Hyogo 671-0221