Virtual Kasai Saigoku 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #29 Shozen-ji Temple

 

     In 1390, Kusunoki Masakatsu and Kajiwara Keizen—retainers of the Southern Court—built a temple and named it Shozen-ji by combining a character from each of their names.  Although the temple subsequently fell into decline due to the ravages of war, Yamashita Muneharu, a former retainer of the Takeda clan of Kai Province, settled in the area and restored the temple buildings in 1597.

     Shozen-ji Temple’s Buddhist tanka poem is:

With endless mercy open wide, He saves in every place,

Bestowing on all living souls His deep, abundant grace.

What could ever turn to tears or cause a soul to fear,

Beside the pure and sacred spring that flows so crystal clear?

Address: 1922 Yamashitacho, Kasai, Hyogo 675-2354

Phone: 0790-46-0037