Virtual Kako County Saigoku 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #8 Kakurin-ji Temple

 

     The Korean monk Huibyeon, who came to Japan in the latter half of the 6th century, fled persecution from the Mononobe Clan and other anti-Buddhist factions and hid in Harima Province. Prince Shotoku (574–622) admired Huibyeon and visited the province to receive his teachings.

     Later, Prince Shotoku ordered Hata Kawakatsu—who is believed to have lived from the late 6th century to the early 7th century—to construct a three-by-four-bay hermitage. It was later named Toda-san Shitenno-ji Shorei-in, which is said to be the origin of Kakurin-ji Temple.

     In 718, Mutobe Harunori, the chief magistrate of Musashi Province, built a full temple complex to honor the virtues of the Prince. Furthermore, in the early 9th century, the monk Ennin (794–864) stopped by on his journey to Tang China and carved a statue of Bhaisajyaguru (Yakushi Nyorai) to pray for national peace and security.

     Within present-day Kakogawa City, there once existed several temples sharing the same layout as Horyu-ji Temple: the Saijo Abandoned Temple (late 7th to 9th century), the Ishimori Abandoned Temple (early 8th to 9th century)—believed to have been located at the foot of Mount Hioka—and the Nakanishi Abandoned Temple (late 7th to 9th century). All of these demonstrate the regional spread of Horyu-ji culture.

     However, all of these neighboring temples ceased to exist in the 9th century, likely destroyed by the Great Harima Earthquake. This massive earthquake struck on July 8th, 868, with an estimated magnitude of approximately 7.0. Centered near present-day Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture, it is believed to have been caused by activity along the Yamazaki Fault. The disaster collapsed provincial and county government offices as well as temple buildings, with its tremors even damaging structures in the capital of Heian-kyo.

     In 1112, Emperor Toba (1103–1156) bestowed an imperial plaque upon the temple, after which its name was officially changed to Kakurin-ji.

     During the medieval period, with the surging popularity of the Prince Shotoku cult (Taishi Shinko), Kakurin-ji Temple enjoyed its golden age. It boasted over 30 temple buildings, a vast territory yielding 25,000 koku, and dozens of musicians who regularly performed ritual music and dance.

     Ever since the compilation of the Nihon Shoki (Chronicles of Japan), Prince Shotoku had been depicted as a figure with superhuman abilities, becoming an object of deep reverence that evolved into a widespread faith over time. Historically, Horyu-ji and Shitenno-ji Temples were consistently recognized as having been founded by the Prince. As the worship of the Prince gained significant momentum during the Heian period (794–1185), these two foundational temples vied to be the center of the faith, consciously influencing each other and amplifying the legends to strengthen their own legitimacy. Thanks to their competitive efforts, the worship of Prince Shotoku reached its peak in 1322, marking the 700th anniversary of his death, which heavily benefited affiliated temples like Kakurin-ji.

     However, during the Sengoku (Warring States) period (1467–1568), Kakurin-ji Temple was forced into decline. Later, under the strict religious policies of the Tokugawa Shogunate, the once-mighty complex was reduced to an ordinary parish temple.

Address: Kitazaike-424 Kakogawacho, Kakogawa, Hyogo 675-0031

Phone: 079-454-7053

Saijo Abandoned Temple Site

Address: 2 Chome-28 Saijoyamate, Kakogawa, Hyogo 675-0001

Hiokayama Observation Platform

Address: Ono-1754-2 Kakogawacho, Kakogawa, Hyogo 675-0061

Nakanishi Abandoned Temple Site

Address: Nakanishi Nishikankicho, Kakogawa, Hyogo 675-0043

Horyu-ji Temple

Address: 1-1-1 Horyuji Sannai, Ikaruga, Ikoma District, Nara 636-0115

Phone: 0745-75-2555

Shitenno-ji Temple

Address: 1 Chome-11-18 Shitennoji, Tennoji Ward, Osaka, 543-0051

Phone: 06-677-10066