Enpuku-ji
Buddhist temple in Chiba Prefecture, Japan
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Enpuku-ji (円福寺) is a Buddhist temple located in the Baba neighborhood of the city of Chōshi, Chiba Prefecture, Japan. It is an independent temple under Shingon Buddhism and its honzon is a statue of Jūichimen Kannon Bosatsu, also popularly known as the Iinuma Kannon (飯沼観音). The temples full name is Iinuma-zan Enpuku-ji (飯沼山円福寺). The temple is the 27th stop on the Bandō Sanjūsankasho pilgrimage route.[1]
| Enpuku-ji | |
|---|---|
円福寺 | |
Kannon-do (Hondo) | |
  Location within Ibaraki Prefecture  Location within Japan | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Buddhist |
| Deity | Jūichimen Kannon Bosatsu |
| Rite | Shingon Buddhism |
| Status | functional |
| Location | |
| Location | 293Baba, Chōshi-shi, Ibaraki-ken |
| Country |  Japan |
| Coordinates | 35°43′55″N 140°50′26.2″E |
| Architecture | |
| Founder | c.Kūkai |
| Completed | c.Kōnin era (810-824) |
 | |
Overview
The origins of this temple are uncertain. According to the temple's legend, two fishermen scooped up a statue of the Jūichimen Kannon in their nets in the first year of the Jinki era (724) and became monks. During the Tenpyō era (729-749) the wandering priest Gyōki heard this story and made an altar. However, when it was completed, the altar was a little too small, so the statue bowed its head and entered the altar by itself. Later, Kūkai, who visited this area during the Kōnin era (810-824), constructed a temple.[2]
After the Kamakura period, the temple flourished as a result of the devotion of the local Kaijō clan who ruled this area. In 1591, Tokugawa Ieyasu gave the temple a red seal and the various halls were maintained. The Kannon-do was built in 1578, but extensively renovated in 1773, and other buildings, such as a Niōmon and Tahōtō were constructed.
Most of the temple was destroyed in 1945 in the Chōshi air raids, and its current structures are all post-war reconstructions.[3]
The five-story pagoda at the temple was completed in 2009 and is 33.55 meters tall.
Sanmon
Pagoda
Daishi-do
Precincts
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Bandō Sanjūsankasho (Bandō 33 temple pilgrimage)
The temple is the 27th temple on the 33 temple Bandō Sanjūsankasho pilgrimage route.
Access
The temple is a five-minute walk from Kannon Station on the Choshi Electric Railway Line.
Cultural Properties
National Important Cultural Properties
- Nyō (鐃), an early Heian period cast-bronze gong used for Buddhist rituals. Currently housed at the Nara National Museum. Designated a National Important Cultural Property.[4]
