Hirumayama YakushiinHorinji Temple is a Shingon Buddhist temple in Hashima, Kurashiki City.
It has a long history, and is said to have been founded around 754, during the reign of Empress Koken, daughter of Emperor Shomu, in the Tenpyo-Shoho era.
It is also famous as the place where the Genji clan established its main camp during the Battle of Fujito, fought between the Genji and Heike clans on December 7, 1184, in the late Heian period.
Horinji Temple is also known as a famous cherry blossom spot.
Here, we introduce the temple’s cherry blossom scenery and its history, as shared by the head priest.
Horinji Temple is not a tourist destination, and it does not offer goshuin stamps. Please visit quietly and be mindful of proper etiquette when visiting the temple.
The information presented here was current when this article was published in May 2023. Please note that it may differ from current information.
About Horinji Temple
Horinji Temple is located in the Hashima area of Kurashiki City, east of Mukoyama, southeast of the Bikan Historical Area.
It is also known as a famous cherry blossom spot, and when the blossoms are in season, families and others flock here to see the trees in full bloom.
The temple’s mountain name is “Hirumayama,” its temple name is “Yakushiin,” and its sect is the Omuro branch of Shingon Buddhism. It is currently known as “Shingon Omuro Branch, Semi-Grand Head Temple Horinji of Hirumayama.”
In ancient times, it was one of the three Yakushi temples of Bitchu.
Besides Horinji Temple’s Hiruma Yakushi, there were apparently also Asama Yakushi and Yuma Yakushi.
Unfortunately, we could not find detailed information about the present-day Asama Yakushi or Yuma Yakushi, but it is interesting that this story has been passed down.
| Yakushi | Location |
|---|---|
| Asama Yakushi | Yata, Mabi, Kurashiki City |
| Hiruma Yakushi | Hirumayama Horinji Temple |
| Yuma Yakushi | Rengonji Temple, atop Mt. Yosho, Asakuchi District |
Highlights of Horinji Temple
When the writer visited Horinji Temple in early April, cherry blossoms were blooming everywhere, and the blossoms beyond the Nio Gate were especially beautiful.
On another day, guided by the head priest, we were also able to see up close a Kurogane-mochi tree (a giant tree in Kurashiki City) in the residential area, which is usually off-limits.
Main Hall
The principal image of Horinji Temple is Yakushi Nyorai, said to have emerged from the sea.
It is said to have miraculous powers and to have drawn a constant stream of worshippers. At Buddhist services on the fourth day of the third lunar month and the fifteenth day of the seventh lunar month, the number of visitors from nearby areas, as well as from Kyoto, Osaka, and Shikoku, reportedly exceeded 10,000.
The principal image, Yakushi Nyorai, is a so-called hidden Buddha, and is unveiled once every 33 years.
According to temple records, it once had five temple compounds and twelve sub-temples across the entire mountain, and flourished as a prominent mountaintop temple complex in southern Bitchu.
The five temple compounds are:
- Jojuin, Monjuin, Ioin, Joko-in, and Yakushiin
The twelve sub-temples are:
- Jushibo, Hoshakubo, Gyokusenbo, Anrakubo, Matsumotobo, Shinbo, Nakanobo, Nishinobo, Bettobo, Minaminobo, Daikakubo, and Shinzo-bo
The cherry blossoms viewed from the main hall are another highlight.
You can see the blossoms in full bloom right before your eyes.
Nio Gate
The Nio Gate stands at the entrance to Horinji Temple.
Passing through the Nio Gate, you are greeted by a tunnel of cherry blossoms. Many families come to enjoy the trees in full bloom.
After passing through the Nio Gate, turn around and take a look. This is one of the views the writer recommends.
Here are some highlights of the Nio Gate.
Imposing Nio guardian statues stand on either side of the gate, and your eyes are also drawn to the large straw sandals.
Why are such large straw sandals displayed here? It makes you wonder.
Chinju Hachimangu Shrine
According to the head priest, Horinji Temple served as the betto (administrator) of this Chinju Hachimangu Shrine, overseeing its rites and ceremonies.
Climbing the steps, you reach the worship hall, with the main shrine behind it.
Bell Tower
The view from the bell tower to the right of the main hall is also recommended.
Perhaps because the sky was clear, the contrast between the dim interior of the bell tower and the cherry blossoms and townscape stretching out beyond it created a wonderfully open feeling.
Six Jizo and the Unwet Jizo
To the left of the main hall are the Six Jizo.
Although they are called the Six Jizo, it is striking that nine statues, large and small, stand in a row.
The largest statue in the center is the Unwet Jizo.
Also called the “Jizo Whose Face Never Gets Wet,” it is worshipped as a Jizo that grants longevity.
An inscription states that it was erected in 1567, the year of the Fire Hare.
The face is closer to square than round, which is a distinctive feature.
The inscription on the Six Jizo statues also states that they were erected in October 1576.
The period from 1567 to around 1576 was when Oda Nobunaga, famous as a Sengoku-period daimyo, was active—a reminder of the area's history.
Kurashiki City’s Giant Tree (Kurogane-mochi)
In the residential area, which is usually off-limits, a kurogane-mochi registered as a giant tree by Kurashiki City is carefully protected.
The Kurashiki City website describes it as follows:
Since 1991, we have been surveying giant trees that have lived among us for hundreds of years and serve as symbols of the community and a source of support for people.
Kurashiki City: Kurashiki’s Giant and Old Trees
We were specially allowed inside this time and could see it up close.
It is growing lush and green and does not look particularly unusual, though I felt it might not be quite 8 meters tall.
We were able to get between the kurogane-mochi and the wall and see it at close range.
I was surprised to see that there was almost nothing inside the thick trunk, giving the impression that it was living on its bark alone.
According to the head priest, “The kurogane-mochi, which was about 8 meters tall, was damaged and fell a few years ago. Since then, the tree has been treated and preserved, allowing us to protect it in its current state.”
It made me realize the importance and difficulty of protecting giant trees, which are both living things and part of history.
Monument Marking the Genji Headquarters Site
The monument marking the Genji headquarters site stands quietly beside the chozuya (water pavilion) facing the main hall of Horinji Temple.
During the Genpei Battle of Fujito, the headquarters of Mikawanokami Minamotononoriyori, the Genji commander-in-chief, was located at Horinji Temple.
For this reason, the Fujito Historic Sites Preservation Society erected the monument in 1984 to commemorate the 800th anniversary of the Genpei Battle of Fujito.
History of Horinji Temple
Horinji Temple is a historic temple founded around 754, during the Tenpyo Shoho era. Here is an overview of its history.
| Period | Event |
|---|---|
| Tenpyo Shoho era (around 754) | Established by Lord Ono Harumichi by imperial order of Empress Koken. It flourished as a prominent temple in southern Bitchu, with one temple complex, five subtemples, and twelve monks’ quarters. |
| December 1530 | A fire broke out in the Kannon Hall, destroying it completely. |
| March 1702 | Another fire. The local lord, Lord Togawa Hyuga-no-kami Yasuhiro, summoned Priest Ryuko (a disciple of Gojin-in Ryuko) to rebuild the temple. |
| 1704 *Some accounts give 1706 | Reconstruction completed |
| 1883 | Jokoin was merged with the temple, which has remained so to the present day. *The Education System Order was promulgated in 1872, and Jokoin was used as an elementary school. |
From the Writer
We introduced Horinji Temple, a famous cherry blossom spot with a history dating back to around 754, during the Tenpyo Shoho era.
Horinji Temple is on Mt. Mukai in the Hashima area, so visiting by car is recommended rather than walking up.
If you have the chance, visit during cherry blossom season and pass through the Nio Gate to quietly enjoy the cherry blossom tunnel and the trees on the temple grounds.
Horinji Temple Information
| Name | Horinji Temple |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Hirumayama Yakushiin |
| Buddhist sect | Shingon |
| Location | 468 Hashima, Kurashiki City |
| Contact | 086-422-5705 |
| Parking | Available There is a parking lot on the east side of Horinji Temple. *Please do not park in front of the main hall or on its south side. |
| Principal image | Bhaisajyaguru (Medicine Buddha) |
| Goshuin (sutra-copying fee) | None |
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