Kongō-ji Temple
金剛寺
This temple commemorates two murdered princes and houses their belongings, with an ancient tree and annual ceremonies.
What it is
- Modest temple in Kōnotani area of Kawakami.
- Commemorates a dramatic 15th-century event.
- Shrine dedicated to Emperor Jitennō and brother Tadayoshiō.
- First temple built by mystic En no Gyōja.
What to see
- Main hall from 1716.
- Adjoining shrine to imperial princes.
- Repository with Jitennō’s clothing, sword, and armor.
- Carved yew statue of bodhisattva Jizō.
- Immense zelkova tree, over 800 years old.
When to go
- February 5 for Ochōhai Ceremony (repository doors open).
- August 23 for annual viewing of Jizō statue.
In detail
This modest temple in the Kōnotani area of Kawakami commemorates a dramatic event in the fifteenth century. Kongōji’s current main hall dates to 1716, and its adjoining shrine is dedicated to a young emperor named Jitennō (1440–1457) and his younger brother Tadayoshiō (d. 1457), the last princes of Southern Court lineage. After the brothers’ murder at the hands of assassins, the townspeople of Kawakami established the shrine in their memory.
Beside the main hall is a small repository that contains Jitennō’s clothing, sword, and armor. The Southern Court was based in Yoshino, and these articles were brought back to Kawakami by members of the village after the princes’ deaths. The doors to the repository are opened and residents pay their respects during the yearly Ochōhai Ceremony, held on February 5.
The first temple on this site is said to have been built by En no Gyōja (634–c. 701), a mystic who founded the practice of mountain asceticism called Shugendō. The temple’s principal image, which is shown to the public annually on August 23, is a carved yew statue of the bodhisattva Jizō, the protector of children and savior of spirits trapped in hell. The image was supposedly carved by En no Gyōja.
To the left of the main hall stands an immense zelkova tree said to be over 800 years old. Its center is hollow, but the tree continues growing strong.
Text: 観光庁 地域観光資源の多言語解説文データベース. Reproduced unchanged. The notes above were written from that text by Japan Gems.
Where it is
奈良県五條市野原西3丁目2−14 Open in Google Maps
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