Yunoyama Kannon Seisha is a ``temple of art'' that you can enjoy visiting even on rainy days. We will introduce the charm of the temple and spots around KomonoTown!

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Yunoyama Kannon Shoja

First of all, let's start with the location. From Aquaignis in KomonoTown, head towards Yunoyama on Prefectural Route 752, enter National Route 477, and it is located on the left immediately after crossing the bridge. At first glance, it looks like a fine private house, but this is actually Yunoyama Kannon Seisha.

A shosha is a monastic facility or temple where ascetics live, and is ``Kyooujikki'' (*pronounced as ``Going in vain and returning full.'')

Inheriting the desire of our predecessors to create a place where people would say, ``I felt empty when I went there, but I felt satisfied when I returned,'' the idea was to be a place for ``learning'' and ``knowing,'' rather than 〇〇temple or 〇〇in. The current chief priest, Koteru Nakanishi, opened the temple as a Shingon sect temple seven years ago as a strong ``spiritual temple''.

The first thing that catches your eye when you enter the entrance is the large lacquered frame at the top of the front of the hall. What is depicted is the Shaka Triad, with Shakyamuni Buddha in the center. On the left and right are the side attendants, Fugen Bosatsu and Manju Bosatsu.

Miyo no kiln “Aun” by Motoo Kato

Next to it is an even bigger ceramic mural! You wouldn't normally expect to be able to see such a large ceramic mural at a temple, something you might find in a hospital or cultural center. (lol)

Nowadays, due to the coronavirus pandemic, disinfectant is placed at the entrance wherever you go, but even before that, temples have been placing incense sticks (zuko) (for worshipers, (Some temples do not have one.) This is used to purify the mind and body when entering the main hall or copying sutras. To use, pick a small amount with your right hand, place it in your left hand, and then rub it into your hands to absorb the pure scent. The combination of herbal medicine varies, and each temple has a different scent, which is something to look forward to when visiting.

The inside of the hall looks like this, and the carpet and tatami area in the foreground is the outer shrine (Gejin), which is the place to worship. At the back is the Naijin, a place where the Buddha is enshrined and where the monks worship. As a general rule, entry to the inner sanctum of any temple is prohibited.

[Here are the etiquette for worshiping! ! ]
In some cases, you may be allowed to enter and see the Buddha even closer, but you may not only be able to see the Buddha but also the Buddhist utensils, lanterns, ornaments, and shrines in the inner sanctum known as the solemn temple. Please do not touch the offerings. Also, please check the photos and do not take them without permission. Even if you are allowed to take pictures, please refrain from using flash as it may annoy the people around you. Also, please do not handle pictures of Buddha roughly, just like amulets or amulets. The people at the temple, like my own monk, are more concerned about how the photos are handled than about the filming. (Sweat)

Front of chancel

In the center is enshrined the principal image of Shakyamuni Buddha created by the Great Buddha sculptor Akie Matsumoto, and on the left and right are Kanzeon Bodhisattva and Amida Nyorai. I turned off the lights and took the photo in warm candlelight using a slow shutter speed. Nowadays, most people worship under bright lights such as fluorescent lights, but the image of the Buddha appearing in such a faint light makes it even more sublime and makes it possible to concentrate on worshiping.

Shakyamuni Buddha statue

This time, with permission from the chief priest, I was able to take pictures of the Buddha's facial expressions from up close. There is also a hierarchy and roles in the world of Buddhism. I would like to introduce how to distinguish them and their characteristics. First, let's start with Nyorai. Buddha = Tathagata, which means ``one who has realized the truth'' like Buddha. The main characteristics are a punch perm style hairstyle called rahotsu and a pouch called byakugo on the forehead. He also has very kind eyes, which are half-closed.

I think most of you look at it from the front, but how does it feel when you look at it from an angle? I also think that the facial expressions look quite different not only on the left and right, but also on the top and bottom. It might be a good idea to find your favorite angle of your favorite Buddha. In this photo, I added the flowers that were offered as a blur in the foreground to create a softer overall look.

Amida Nyorai seated statue

Amitabha looks almost the same as Buddha, but there are distinct characteristics that make them easy to tell apart. It's the shape of a hand! These are called ingei and inso, and are made by hand in various shapes that represent the inner seal. Naisho means the enlightenment of the Buddha, and you can learn about the role (work) of the Buddha through the hand-made shapes (signs).

This “Naisho” is the origin of the word “Nai” we use!

Kanzeon Bodhisattva standing statue

This is Kanzeon Bodhisattva. It is popularly known as Kannon. Bodhisattva means ``one who seeks enlightenment'' and is a person who saves us while training to become a Buddha. Generally, they wear many ornaments and have a feminine and graceful appearance.

Fudo Myoo Statue

On the right side of the inner sanctum, there is a gomadan (Gomadan), where a fire is lit and prayers are made. Fudo Myoo is enshrined in the front. Ofudo-san is also said to be the incarnation of Dainichi Nyorai, and in his right hand he holds a treasured sword that cuts off our earthly desires and fate, and in his left hand he holds a rope-like cord that binds evil and pulls up those who cannot escape from earthly desires. I have (kensaku). When you look at his face from the front, he has a very grim expression.

Now, let's look from the left (right side of the face). He's a handsome guy with a sharp eye!

Next, if you look at it from the other side (the left side of its face), you will see that, unlike before, its fangs are pointing downwards and it has a very sad look on its face. This is not just an expression of anger, but a sign that they are watching over us with compassion. Of course, the way you look will change depending on the angle and lighting, but I think each person will see a different face depending on their own state of mind at the time.

This is a goshuin stamp designed by the chief priest himself. It's so nice! Currently, it is so popular that if you type ``Kannon Seisha'' in a web search, Goshuin will appear as a candidate. In the early days, characters were written by hand, but due to the influx of letters, which caused legal problems, the current style has become such that characters are written by hand each time a request is made on paper with illustrations printed on it. Of course, there are also goshuin stamps with only regular characters.

This is a goshuin stamp written on the day of Kanbutsue held on April 8th of this year. This is a special limited-edition goshuin that only those who visited the shrine on the day could receive, without any notes left behind. The flower pattern pressed with lotus root is also cute! The red seal was also apparently designed and engraved by the chief priest. If you look closely, you can see a dragon raining nectar on the birth Buddha in the flower garden. April 8th according to the lunar calendar is Buddha's birthday, and a flower festival and a puja, also known as Bussho-e, are generally held on this day. (Depending on the region, the deadline may be a month later, May 8th.)

These two pictures were drawn in the early days, and I showed them to you for reference. I didn't even know about this, but there are goshuin books of this size...

I once heard someone call me and say, ``Since I can't visit the shrine, I'll send you a stamp book in a letter pack, so please write it down.I'll enclose a letter pack for your reply, so please send it to me.'' .

Of course, each temple will handle things differently, but as I wrote in the previous article about goshuin etiquette, a goshuin is just a proof of your visit to the shrine, and the other is a proof that you have received a copy of the sutra. Therefore, as a substitute for not being able to visit the temple, I believe that the temple would be satisfied with the offer if we were to offer a copy of the sutra, which has been engraved on a neat piece of paper and includes our prayers.
Even if this is the case, please consult with the temple staff first rather than sending the item straight away.

The chief priest apparently takes time out of his legal duties to draw pictures of Buddha and various other things based on the zodiac signs of the year, and the pictures are so cute! (Laughs) I would be even happier if it was the principal image of my zodiac sign or my favorite Buddha.

Inside the temple, there are flowers arranged everywhere, including the hall and the outer hall, as well as frames and folding screens. It is surrounded by not only Buddhist statues, but also flowers, Buddhist utensils, calligraphy, paintings, and many other works of art, making it feel like an art museum! You can also experience temple yoga, meditation, and sutra copying at Kannon Seisha. From now on, the chief priest is planning to make use of his special skill in painting so that people can have new experiences such as taking pictures of Buddha.

how was it? Did you understand that temples are not only more formal than you think, but also places where you can enjoy yourself more easily? (LOL) As the title says, you can enjoy it even on rainy days! Therefore, if there is a temple that interests you, please visit it as soon as possible, and if there is a temple that interests you, please feel free to contact us! (lol)

Kannon Seisha Basic Information For inquiries, please click here.

Spots around KomonoTown

Takenari Gohyakurakan

Gohyakurakan are designated as cultural properties by the prefecture. It appears that there are 469 statues at present, as they were destroyed or removed during the Haibutsukishaku movement. When I took the photo on a cloudy day, it looked a little scary... (Sweat)

The wisteria trellis in the precincts is also famous. I wasn't able to take pictures this year due to circumstances, so I'd like to take pictures next year.

Inside Dainichi-do Hall, two seated statues of Dainichi Nyorai, Kongokai and Taizoukai, are enshrined side by side. On the left side is the Vajra world, and on the right side is Dainichi Nyorai in the womb world. You can also tell them apart by the shape of their hands. The decoration that represents the halo, called a halo, is dark blue, which is rare, and I got to see it up close, and it was a very splendid Buddha. These two statues are also designated cultural properties by the prefecture.

Apparently, the Takenari Tourism Association is taking care of this area, and even the general public can receive a detailed guide if they apply in advance. If you are interested, please contact us!

Odaka-kannonTemple

Kannon Bridge spans the Otonashi River on the way to the shrine. The fresh greenery was beautiful.

The approach to the shrine stretches straight into the cypress forest. Beyond that is Rokkakudo, where the Senju Kannon Bodhisattva is enshrined. I've been seeing it on Instagram lately, and it's a popular spot for people to stop by while hiking.

Aquaignis

Sweets on bread. A complex facility that everyone knows where you can eat, hot springs, and stay overnight! A lot of kitchen cars and marche were also coming.

Japanese yam (Japanese yam)

This is a shop specializing in wild yam that has long been famous in KomonoTown.

For lunch, I had the Tororo Gozen - Bamboo. It was so filling that I was worried that I wouldn't be able to finish it halfway through. It's been a while, but it was delicious.

Aragoshi of Asakegawa River

It is said that the structure where a river flows over the road is called araikoshi. I was surprised that there is a place like this in KomonoTown!

This is what it looked like when the car was running. The water level seems to vary depending on the day, so when you actually go, please be careful not to get submerged in the water or lose your bike, and to avoid causing a nuisance to those around you.

The river water was very beautiful. If only I had a towel, I could have walked in barefoot. (Tears) The children in front of me went into the river with their clothes on and played happily. (lol)


What did you think of the "Temple of Art" Kannon Seisha in KomonoTown and the surrounding spots? There are so many attractive spots that I couldn't introduce them this time, but that's for another time. I'm thinking of taking a walk around the area as it seems like there are still some hidden attractions. (laughs) Thank you for watching until the end.

Please click here for my previous articles!