Yashima-ji Temple
屋島寺
Yashima-ji Temple, founded in 754, is the 84th stop on the 88-temple Shikoku Pilgrimage.
What it is
- Temple founded in 754 by Chinese monk Jianzhen.
- Converted to Shingon Buddhist sanctuary by Kukai.
- 84th stop on the 88-temple Shikoku Pilgrimage.
What to see
- Statue of the Thousand-Armed Kannon in the temple museum.
- Main hall building, an Important Cultural Property.
- Temple bell from 1223, an Important Cultural Property.
- Buddhist sculptures and Battle of Yashima artifacts in museum.
- Shrine to Minoyama Daimyojin, a legendary tanuki spirit.
Getting there
- Located on the south side of the Yashima plateau.
In detail
Yashimaji Temple is one of the most eye-catching sites on Yashima. The temple is believed to have been founded in 754 at a location on the north side of the mountain by the Chinese monk Jianzhen (Ganjin in Japanese; 688–763), who established the Ritsu school of Buddhism in Japan. In the early ninth century, the temple was converted to a Shingon Buddhist sanctuary by the priest Kukai (774–835), who also had the temple moved to its current location on the south side of the plateau. The temple is the 84th stop on the 88-temple Shikoku Pilgrimage.
Kukai is said to have carved the temple’s main object of worship, a statue of the Thousand-Armed Kannon, the bodhisattva of compassion. The statue was originally kept in the main hall (hondo) but is now on display in the temple museum. The statue and the main hall building, as well as the temple bell dating to 1223, are designated Important Cultural Properties.
Also on display in the museum are Buddhist sculptures, along with artifacts and items relating to the Battle of Yashima, which took place in 1185. Beside the main hall is a shrine to Minoyama Daimyojin, a legendary tanuki (raccoon dog) spirit said to be able to take any form.
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
香川県高松市屋島東町字屋島峯1808番地 Open in Google Maps
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