Saidaiji Kannon-in

Saidaiji Kannon-in Temple is a Buddhist temple whose main deity is Senju Kannon, the Thousand-Armed Bodhisattva, a compassionate figure known for using her many arms to help all beings in need.

The Legend of Senju Kannon – From the Saidai-ji Engi (Temple Origin Story)

In 751, Princess Fujiwara Minataru of Suō Province (now Yamaguchi Prefecture) commissioned a Buddhist sculptor to create a statue of Senju Kannon. However, after she failed to fulfil her promise to the sculptor, he mysteriously vanished. Believing he was a manifestation of the Kannon of Hasedera Temple in Nara, the princess completed the statue and set off by boat to dedicate it in his honour.

As the boat reached Kanaoka in present-day Okayama, it suddenly came to a halt. Miraculously, when the statue was removed, the boat could move again. Taking this as a divine sign that Kannon wished to remain there, the princess built a small hall and enshrined the statue on the spot. Witnesses, overwhelmed by the sacred moment, worshipped the statue even in their bare state.

Over the centuries, the statue endured fire and warfare. In 1299, lightning destroyed the temple, but the head and hands of the statue were miraculously saved and used to reconstruct it. In 1532, during a battle, the statue mysteriously flew to a riverbank, only to be found unharmed days later by villagers.

Each time, the statue returned to its rightful place - strengthening the faith of all who encountered it. Today, Senju Kannon continues to be venerated at Saidaiji Kannon-in as a symbol of compassion and resilience.

Goken-dō (Five-Bay Hall)

The goken-dō is the temple’s main hall (hondō) where the principal deity, Senju Kannon, is enshrined. This massive building took about 18 months to complete. Its roof is among the largest in the prefecture, featuring grand carvings, thick wooden beams, and an exceptionally tall ridge.

The interior is specially designed to accommodate the Eyo Festival—a nationally designated Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property. The outer hall (gejin) has an open wooden floor, while above the central area of the inner hall (naijin), the Gofuku-mado window allows the sacred treasure wood (shingi) to be dropped during the festival.

Senju Kannon

The principal image is a hidden statue of Senju Kannon. Though it depicts only 42 arms, it symbolizes 1,000 armsbecause, besides the two hands in prayer, each of the remaining 40 arms is believed to save beings in 25 different realms(40 × 25 = 1,000). Each hand’s palm has an eye, allowing Kannon to see and rescue suffering beings across countless worlds.

Senju Kannon is believed to grant benefits such as protection from misfortune, longevity, healing, marital harmony, and success in love. At this temple, the deity is especially revered for safe childbirth; wrapping the mawashi (loincloth) worn during the Eyo festival around one’s belly is said to aid in an easy delivery. The statue dates back to the Edo period, though its original origins are unknown.

Guardian Deities

Flanking the principal image are Kōmokuten (West) and Tamonten (East), two of the Four Heavenly Kings who protect the four directions and uphold Buddhist teachings. Both statues date from the Edo period.

Behind the main hall, on the East side stands a statue of Fudō Myōō, and on the West side, Aizen Myōō—two of the Five Great Wisdom Kings. These fierce deities protect the Dharma and help practitioners overcome ignorance and obstacles.

An additional statue resembling the style of Saidaiji Temple in Nara is housed in the outer hall. The Fudō Myōō statue, although of unknown creation date, is a valuable piece modeled after Heian period styles. The Aizen Myōō statue dates to the Edo period.

Temple Founders

Near the main hall is a seated statue of Saint Anryū, the temple founder. This small, 24 cm tall wooden polychrome statue portrays a dignified, composed expression and dates to the late Edo period.

Also enshrined is a seated statue of Saint Chūa, founder of the Eyo Festival (also called Sadaka Matsuri or Naked Festival).

Other Sacred Sites within the Precincts

Putuo Nanhai Kannon 

In 2001, Saidaiji Kannon-in received a replica of the 33 m gold statue of Nanhai Kannon from China's Putuo Mountain Buddhist Association. This statue is one-tenth the size of its original counterpart . The statue is prominently displayed within the temple grounds, It’s officially designated as Site #2 on the local "108 Kannon Pilgrimage" route, and Saidaiji serves as #1 of the China-wide Kannon pilgrimage circuit.

Gyokudama-shoden & Inner Sanctuary

This architectural complex—featuring a worship hall, corridor, main hall, and inner sanctuary—was built by Tabuchi Katsuyoshi of the Oku carpentry school. It enshrines Gyokudama-sho Daigongen and Konpira Daigongen, central to the Edo-period “Three-Shrine Pilgrimage.” Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Japan)

Also enshrined is Shōmen Kongō, protector against illness. In 2010, Japan’s largest white jade statue of Monju Bosatsu, the Bodhisattva of Wisdom, was donated, attracting students praying for academic success.

The inner sanctuary houses the true image of Gyokudama-sho Daigongen. Notable architectural features include unique bracket structures and a rare pyramidal hipped roof (hōgyō-zukuri).

Inari Shrine

Originally built in 1935 as a Hōanden (a prewar educational monument housing the Imperial portrait), this building was donated to Saidaiji Elementary School by Rishichi Ihara, the first head of Imamachi.

After World War II, it was relocated to Saidaiji Temple to avoid demolition and repurposed as an Inari Shrine. Unlike other Hōanden built in Western styles, this structure followed traditional Shinto architecture, aiding its preservation and reuse.

Yakushi-dō (Medicine Buddha Hall)

Originally destroyed by fire in 1854, the hall was rebuilt in 1863. During reconstruction, a hall from Jōju-ji Temple was relocated and used as a temporary main hall for the Eyo Festival.

By the 1960s, the structure had deteriorated, but thanks to donors, it was rebuilt, and the Yakushi Nyorai statue—Buddha of healing—was enshrined here. He is venerated for his twelve vows and power to heal physical and mental suffering.

Ema-dō (Votive Horse Hall)

In Japanese tradition, a black horse symbolizes prayers for rain, while a white horse symbolizes prayers to stop rain. Two sacred horses were donated in 1856 (Ansei 3): the male horse was crafted by Ubei of Tomozeki, and the female by Kichibee Tamura Haru[...] and Tōshichirō Nori[...] from Tomo, Bingo Province.

Mizuko Jizō (Koyasu Jizō)

Mizuko Jizō guides the spirits of unborn children to rebirth, using his shakujo staff to ward off demons and grant wisdom. The statue holding a child, called Koyasu Jizō, protects pregnant women, ensures safe delivery, and blesses conception and child growth. Prayers for Mizuko Jizō and safe childbirth are accepted anytime (reservations required).

Shōrōmon Gate & Korean Bell

The Shōrōmon Gate is a finely crafted 18th-century bell tower gate in irimoya-zukuri (hip-and-gable) style, featuring detailed joinery and a double-eaved roof. It dates from the Enpō era (1673–1680), alongside the Nio Gate and Daishi Hall.

The Korean Bell housed here is a National Important Cultural Property from the early Goryeo period (10th–11th century).

Senju-in (Senju-dō)

Originally one of many Saidaiji branch temples, Senju-in is now the only remaining branch and operates as an independent religious corporation known for memorial services and funeral ceremonies.

In 2003, a 2.5-meter seated Senju Kannon statue from Mount Putuo, China, was enshrined, revitalizing the temple, which was renamed Senju-dō. The ceiling features 198 painted panels created through a public art contest. Built in 1925 (Taishō 14).

Kōsodō (Registered Tangible Cultural Property)

Also known as the Miedo, this hall enshrines Kōbō Daishi (Kūkai). The wooden statue, made in 1675 (Enpō 3) by Kichiuemonjō of Osaka, is housed in a shrine from the same period.

The name plaque was written by high priest Sasa Nankyoku, and the demon-shaped roof tiles were crafted by Yamamoto Hanjūrō. The hall features traditional Japanese (wayō) architecture with deep eaves, creating a calm atmosphere.

Originally near the sutra repository, it was built during the Enpō era (1673–1675) and renovated in 1780 (An’ei 9).

Three-Story Pagoda (Sanju-no-tō)

An Okayama Prefectural Important Cultural Property built in 1678 (Enpō 6), this pagoda blends traditional Japanese (wayō) and Zen (zenshūyō) architectural styles. It is noted for its excellent balance and classical proportions.

Inside, the central pillar (shinbashira) reflects Shingon Buddhism’s focus on Dainichi Nyorai, the main deity.

Visitors can walk around the Buddha’s Footprint Stones at the pagoda’s four sides to receive blessings for leg and lower back health.

Hexagonal Sutra Repository (Rokkaku Kyōzō)

A Registered Tangible Cultural Property built in 1854 (Kaei 7), this rare hexagonal sutra repository combines a hexagonal exterior with an octagonal interior, featuring traditional Japanese tiled roofing and a two-tier circular platform.

The rotating sutra shelf, made in 1805 (Bunka 2) by Tokuda Tasaburō, allows devotees to gain merit by spinning it, symbolically reciting all sutras.

Inside, a replica of the Kumano Kanshin Jikkai Mandala is displayed, representing the Ten Worlds and the path to Buddhahood.

North-Facing Jizō (Kitamuki Jizō)

Based on scripture, this Jizō statue grants peace, longevity, and rebirth benefits when venerated facing north. It is enshrined with a Senju Kannon statue donated from Mount Putuo.

Nearby stone monuments honour Edo-period figures like Tamanomori Daikichi, who legend says saved the temple bell from fire.

Stone Gate & Ritual Purification Site (Ishimon / Kori-toriba)

Registered Tangible Cultural Property, the Stone Gate (Ishimon)—correctly named Ryūshōrō (Dragon Bell Tower)—was built in 1819 (Bunsei 2) by Shōō Shōnin’s vow. The gate features a stone first story and a wooden second story with white plaster and red-lacquered eaves, resembling the mythical Ryūgūjō (Dragon Palace).

The name plaque was written by Rai Sanyō, and the gate’s bronze bell, now at the Shōrōmon, originally hung here until the Meiji period.

In front stands a torii and the Kori-toriba, a ritual purification site where participants perform cold-water ablutions for two weeks before the Saidaiji Eyo (Naked Festival) to purify mind and body.

The Mizukōri Kannon statue symbolises ritual purification, washing away hardships and suffering.

Konpira Daigongen (金毘羅大権現)

Originally the principal deity at Zōtōsan in Sanuki Province (now Kagawa), Konpira Daigongen is a syncretic Buddhist-Shinto deity combining Fudō Myōō and Bishamonten.

During the Nara and Heian periods, shinbutsu konkō (the fusion of Buddhism and Shinto) became widespread, with shrines and temples sharing deities as protectors. This system lasted until the late Tokugawa period.

At the Meiji Restoration, the haibutsu kishaku movement persecuted Buddhist elements, forcing temples like Matsuo-ji Kinkō-in to convert to Shinto shrines and destroy Buddhist statues. To save the original Buddhist statues of Konpira Daigongen, the head priest of Manpuku-in moved them to his hometown in 1870.

Later, Lord Akimasa Ikeda relocated the statues to his prayer temple, Enmu-in. In 1882, the head priest Kōa Nagata enshrined them at Saidaiji, where they remain today alongside Goshō Daigongen in the Goshō-den hall.

Goshōsho Daigongen (牛玉所大権現)

Enshrined in the inner sanctuary (Okuden) of the main hall, Goshōsho Daigongen is a hidden Buddha represented by a front-facing image identical to the principal deity.

At this temple, the Five Great Wisdom Kings (Godai Myōō)—originally wrathful deities in Esoteric Buddhism—are worshipped in their syncretic Shinto-Buddhist form called Gongen. They include:

Fudō Myōō (center)

Gōzanze Myōō (east)

Gundari Myōō (south)

Daiitoku Myōō (west)

Kongō Yasha Myōō (north)

These kings act as messengers of the Buddhas.

Gofuku-shōrai Shrine for Traffic Safety

This unique five-sided shrine, inspired by the five blessings (Gofuku) celebrated at the Eyo Festival, is dedicated to local traffic safety. It’s the only shrine in Japan with this design.

Made from Mannari-ishi granite, shaped like cherry blossoms, each of the shrine’s five faces enshrines a different deity representing blessings:

Senju Kannon — Traffic Safety

Gogyokusho Daigongen — Household Safety

Konpira Daigongen — Protection from Misfortune

Shōmen Kongō — Recovery from Epidemics

Shiratama Monju Bosatsu — Success in Exams

Visitors are encouraged to bow, make a clockwise circuit, and listen to the five blessing bells (fuku-suzu) to receive their benefits.

Registered Tangible Cultural Property: Niōmon Gate

One of the largest two-story rōmon gates in the prefecture, the Niōmon features a san-gen ikki layout (three bays wide, one bay deep) blending traditional Wayō (Japanese) and Zen architectural styles.

Its richly decorated brackets include carvings of the twelve zodiac animals, and it is guarded by the imposing Kongōrikishi (Niō statues). The rare onigawara roof tiles bear a restoration date of 1770 (Meiwa 7) with unique long, spiraling ridge-end crests.

The horizontal plaque, inscribed “Shakuitsuzan,” was written by a famous Zen monk-calligrapher.

Original construction: 1740 (Genbun 5)

Restoration: 1770 (Meiwa 7)