Tsubosaka-dera Temple, Minami Hokke-ji

The information about Tsubosaka-dera Temple is presented here. Tsubosaka-dera Temple enshrines Juichimen Senju Kannon Bosatsu (Eleven-faced Thousand-armed Kannon Bosatsu) as its main statue and is the 6th temple of the Saigoku Sanjusansho Kannon Reijo. Juichimen Senju Kannon Bosatsu (Eleven-faced Thousand-armed Kannon Bosatsu) is said to have spiritual power for eye diseases, and is visited by many worshippers from all over Japan as Kannon for the eyes. Tsubosaka-dera Temple is famous as the site of “Tsubosaka Reigen-ki,” a ningyou-joruri (puppet play) about the love between a blind man, Sawaichi, and his wife, Osato.

• Temple Location Map ＆ Directions
• Temple History
• Temple Highlights

【Tsubosaka-dera Temple Location Map ＆ Directions】

Address: 3 Tsubosaka, Takatori-cho, Takaichi-gun, Nara Prefecture, Japan
Access (How to get there): Tsubosakadera-mae bus stop (a short walk)

【Opening Hours ＆ Closed (confirmation required)】

Opening Hours: 8:30-17:00
Closed: open year round

【Entrance Fees ＆ Tickets (confirmation required)】

Individual: Adults (18 years and older) 600 yen, children (17 years and younger) 100 yen, toddlers (5 years and younger) free

【Tsubosaka-dera Temple History】

Tsubosaka-dera Temple (壷阪寺, Minami Hokke-ji Temple, 南法華寺) is said to have been founded in 703 by Benki-shonin, a monk of Gango-ji Temple. According to the “Minami Hokkeji Koro-den” in the temple collection, when Benki-shonin was training in the mountains of Tsubosaka, he placed his favorite crystal vase in a hermitage on the slope, and carved the statue of Kannon that he had sensed. During the dismantling and repair of Raido, which began in 1962, an underground survey of Tsubosaka-dera Temple was conducted, and excavations showing the appearance of Tsubosaka-dera Temple at the time of its founding, such as the foundation stone of Hakaku-Endo (the octagonal round hall), the Sanzon senbutsu (Buddha), and the eaves tiles, were unearthed. In the early Nara period (710-794), Tsubosaka-dera Temple became a temple of prayer for the 44th Emperor Gensho. Emperor Gensho was born in 680 as the eldest daughter of Prince Kusakabe and his wife, Princess Abe (the 43rd Emperor Genmei). Emperor Gensho never married, making her the first female emperor to ascend the throne as a single woman.
In 847, Tsubosaka-dera Temple was listed as a Jogaku-ji temple along with Hase-dera Temple, and both were worshipped as sacred places for Kannon. In the “Makura no Soshi”, Sei Shonagon wrote, “The temples are Tsubozaka, Kasagi, and Horin…” and listed them at the top of the list of temples with great spiritual power. It is said that Fujiwara no Michinaga stayed at Tsubosaka-dera temple when he visited Yoshino-yama in 1007. In 1096, much of the temple was destroyed by fire. At that time, Tsubosaka-ji Temple had 36 do (halls) and over 60 sobo (monks’ residences), but they were burned to ashes. In the late Heian period (794-1185), the monk Shinko of Kojima-dera Temple revived Tsubosaka-ji Temple and Tsubosaka-ji Temple became a major dojo (center) of the Kojima (Tsubosaka) school of the Shingon sect, and Tsubosaka-ji Temple flourished along with the worship of the Saigoku Sanjusansho Kannon Reijo. During the Heian period (794-1185), Kiyomizu-dera Temple in Kyoto was called “Kita Hokke-ji Temple”, while Tsubosaka-dera Temple was called “Minami Hokke-ji Temple”. In 1211, Dai-mon Gate and sobo (monks’ residences) were damaged by a disaster. During the Nanbokucho period (1337-1392), Tsubosaka-dera Temple suffered a military fire and during the Sengoku period (1493-1590), Tsubosaka-dera Temple suffered a military fire. When the Ochi clan, which had protected Tsubosaka-dera Temple, fell, Tsubosaka-dera Temple declined, and Raido and Sanju-no-to (Three-story Pagoda) remained. In the Azuchi Momoyama period (1573-1603), Tsubosaka-ji Temple was revived under the patronage of Honda Toshihisa, a feudal lord of Takatori Castle and a vassal of Toyotomi Hidenaga. During the Edo period (1603-1867), Tsubosaka-dera Temple came under the patronage of the Uemura clan, feudal lords of the Takatori-han (domain). After the war (1941-1945), Tsubosaka-dera Temple contributed to social welfare activities, and in 1961, Tsubosaka-dera Temple established Japan’s first nursing home for the blind, Jiboen. Since 1964, we have been involved in leprosy relief activities in India, as well as international service activities such as educational scholarships and regional development assistance.
*reference・・・Tsubosaka-dera Temple website

【Tsubosaka-dera Temple Highlights (May be undisclosed)】

★Reido (礼堂, Important Cultural Property) is said to have been rebuilt in the middle of the Muromachi period (1393-1466). Reido was built to worship the main statue, Juichimen Senju Kannon Bosatsu (Eleven-faced Thousand-armed Kannon Bosatsu). During the Edo period (1603-1866), it underwent major reconstruction and downsizing, but during the Showa period (1926-1989), excavation of the basement and remaining materials revealed its appearance in the Muromachi period, and it was restored to its original form at the time of reconstruction in the middle of Muromachi period.
★Sanju-no-to (Three-story Pagoda, 三重塔, Important Cultural Property) was rebuilt in 1497. Sanju-no-to has four pillars, and houses the statue of Dainichi Nyorai on the Sumidan. To commemorate the 1,300th anniversary of the capital’s relocation to Heijo, Sanju-no-to opened its doors for the first time since its reconstruction.
★Hondo (main hall, 本堂) was rebuilt in the Edo period (1603-1866). Hondo is Hakaku-Endo (the octagonal round hall) and houses the statue of Juichimen Senju Kannon Bosatsu (Eleven-faced Thousand-armed Kannon Bosatsu).

【Events (confirmation required)】

★Cherry Blossom Illumination (桜ライトアップ) is held when the cherry blossoms are at their best. About 300 cherry trees, including Somei Yoshino, are planted, and the cherry blossoms, the 10-meter-high stone statue of Shaka Nyorai, and Taho-to (pagoda) are beautifully lit.

【Flower Calendar (cherry blossoms, etc )】

★The best time to see cherry blossoms (桜) is from early April to mid-April. About 300 cherry blossom trees, including Somei Yoshino, are planted in the vast grounds, and it is said that the scenery of the cherry blossoms, the 10-meter-high stone statue of Shaka Nyorai, the 20-meter-high stone statue of Kannon Bosatsu and Taho-to (pagoda) is beautiful.
★The best time to see autumn leaves (紅葉) is from mid-November to late November. Maple trees and other trees are distributed in the vast grounds and surrounding mountains, and it is said that the scenery of the autumn leaves, Sanju-no-to (three-story pagoda), Taho-to (pagoda), and the 20-meter-high stone statue of Kannon Bosatsu is beautiful.
★The best time to see yamabuki (ヤマブキ) is from early April to late April. More than 4,000 yamabuki are planted, and it is said that the scenery of yamabuki, Raido, Sanju-no-to (Three-story Pagoda) and Taho-to (pagoda) is beautiful.
(The best time to see the plants depends on the climate of the year.)

【Telephone (Please refrain from making phone calls.)】

Tel: +81-744-52-2016

【Recommended Walking Route】

The recommended walking route from Tsubosaka-dera Temple is a little farther but via Hachiman Shrine to the east, Takatori-jo Castle Ruins. Takatori-jo Castle Ruins is recommended during the fall foliage season, as it is famous for its fall foliage. Takatori-jo Castle is one of the three great mountain castles in Japan along with Bitchu Matsuyama-jo Castle (Okayama Prefecture) and Iwamura-jo Castle (Gifu Prefecture).

【Remarks（access, parking, disclaimer, etc）】
If you plan to visit Tsubosaka-dera Temple, be sure to check the latest information.