As you walk along “Kurashiki Chuodori (Motomachi-dori),” which runs south from JR Kurashiki Station, you’ll see a modern temple built of reinforced concrete.
This temple is called “Koyasan Kurashiki Betsuin Seiryu-zan Jizoin” (Koyasan Kurashiki Betsuin Seiryu-zan Jizoin; hereafter, Jizoin).
Although it looks modern, the temple actually has a long history.
It was especially revered by the lords of Okayama Domain during the Edo period. The domain’s seventh lord, Ikeda Tsugumasa, even built structures and donated Buddhist statues he had made himself.
These statues are unveiled just once a year, at New Year, together with the principal image.
The underground Kannon Hall, built during the major Heisei-era renovation, is also a must-see!
Here, we introduce Jizoin, a temple with a surprisingly long history despite its appearance.
The information presented here is current as of the article’s publication in March 2020. Please note that it may differ from current information.
Koyasan Kurashiki Betsuin Seiryu-zan Jizoin is a temple with a modern exterior along Kurashiki Chuodori
Jizoin is a temple of the Koyasan Shingon sect in central Kurashiki.
It is along the main road “Kurashiki Chuodori (Motomachi-dori),” which runs south from JR Kurashiki Station, just north of the Bikan Historical Area.
It is about 500 meters from the station.
▼At first glance, Jizoin looks like a modern building rather than a temple.
Temples are often associated with traditional Japanese buildings with tiled roofs, so the reinforced-concrete construction is unexpected.
The temple is illuminated on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights, and the upper part of the elevator tower (the tall section in the center) can be seen from Nakabashi Bridge over the Kurashiki River.
Be sure to look for it when strolling through the Bikan Historical Area late on a weekend night.
Nakabashi Bridge spans the area between the front of Kurashikikan and the front of the Kurashiki Archaeological Museum.
▼Jizoin seen from Nakabashi Bridge during the day.
▼A temple bell is placed on the first floor, where visitors can ring it with a wooden mallet—a rare arrangement.
North of the temple is Okuni Kindergarten, founded by Jizoin.
Jizoin is also the “Koyasan Kurashiki Betsuin.”
A betsuin is a temple recognized by the head temple on Mt. Koya as a specially authorized branch temple.
There is also the Bicchu Pilgrimage, a pilgrimage circuit of 108 Koyasan Shingon temples in the Bicchu region (western Okayama Prefecture). Jizoin is the 35th temple on the route, and Koyasan Kurashiki Betsuin is the 36th.
During the Edo period, the temple welcomed Bishamonten from Chogosonshiji Temple on Mt. Shigi, in present-day Heguri Town, Nara Prefecture, and attracted worshippers of Bishamonten from the surrounding area.
Highlights of Koyasan Kurashiki Betsuin Seiryu-zan Jizoin
Here are some highlights of Jizoin, which has a modern appearance.
Mid-Edo-period demon tiles displayed on either side of the entrance gate
Demon tiles are displayed on either side of the entrance gate at Jizoin.
These tiles were used on the building that stood here before it was rebuilt as part of an urban planning project.
The demon tiles were made in 1788, during the mid-Edo period.
Facing the entrance, the tile on the left depicts Gatten Bosatsu (Moonlight Bodhisattva), and the one on the right depicts Nitten Bosatsu (Sunlight Bodhisattva).
Statue of Sho Kannon
After entering through the gate, you’ll find Hojo Pond immediately to the left, with a standing statue of Shokanzeon (also known as Seikanzeon or Sho Kannon) in the pond.
Shokanzeon Bosatsu is the principal image of Jizoin.
For this reason, the statue of Shokanzeon can be considered a symbol of Jizoin.
Main Hall
▼The Main Hall of Jizoin is on the second floor of the temple building.
▼The decorations are very ornate.
I couldn’t have imagined this from the reinforced-concrete exterior.
The atmosphere suddenly becomes solemn and unmistakably temple-like.
We were specially allowed to tour and photograph the hall during our visit.
Nirvana Painting
February 15 is the anniversary of the Buddha’s death, marked by the Nehan-e ceremony.
For this reason, Jizoin displays a Nirvana Painting in the Main Hall on the second floor during February.
The Nirvana Painting depicts the scene when the Buddha entered nirvana (passed away).
Remarkably, Jizoin’s Nirvana Painting was created about 200 years ago, during the Edo period.
▼The Buddha lies in the center, surrounded by many disciples.
The figure in the clouds is the Buddha’s mother.
She has come to welcome him.
Look closely, and you’ll see that creatures other than humans also seem to have rushed to the Buddha’s side as he died.
Statue of Bishamonten made by Ikeda Tsugumasa, lord of Okayama Domain
Jizoin was once located in the Sasaoki district, about 2.5 kilometers south of its present site.
During the Edo period, Sasaoki was initially part of the territory of Okayama Domain in Bizen, so Jizoin was deeply revered by the Ikeda lords of Okayama Domain.
The seventh lord of Okayama Domain, Ikeda Tsugumasa, was especially devout. He built temple buildings and dedicated Buddhist statues he had made himself.
A statue made by Ikeda Tsugumasa is unveiled once a year, from January 1 to 3.
Be sure to pay your respects when visiting for hatsumode, the first shrine or temple visit of the New Year.
▼The statue is unveiled at the following times:
| Date | Unveiling time |
|---|---|
| January 1 | 6:00–around 6:30 a.m. |
| January 2 | 7:00–around 7:30 p.m. |
| January 3 | 2:00–around 2:30 p.m. |
On January 3, the Daihannya Tendoku Hoyo ceremony is held on a grand scale, with amazake and a prize drawing also offered.
Five-layer glass standing statue of Sho Kannon and standing statues of the Thirty-Three Kannon in the underground Kannon pilgrimage site
There is a Kannon Hall in the basement of Jizoin.
The hall houses a standing statue of Sho Kannon and standing statues of the Thirty-Three Kannon, which are must-sees!
▼At the center is a standing statue of Sho Kannon made of five layers of glass, surrounded by standing statues of the Thirty-Three Kannon of Saigoku.
The atmosphere is very solemn.
The underground Kannon Hall was built during the major Heisei-era renovation, completed in 2008.
▼The standing statue of Sho Kannon has a very mystical presence.
▼Seen from the side, it’s clear that the statue is made of five layers of glass.
▼The standing statues of the Thirty-Three Kannon surrounding the hall are said to have been made a very long time ago.
By worshipping at the Underground Kannon Hall, you will have visited all the temples on the Saigoku Thirty-Three Kannon Pilgrimage.
▼If you would like to worship at the Underground Kannon Hall, tell the temple staff member just to the left after entering on the first floor, “I would like to worship at the Underground Kannon Hall.”
Goshuin at Koyasan Kurashiki Betsuin Seiryuzan Jizoin Temple
You can receive a goshuin at Jizoin Temple.
▼Here is the goshuin from Jizoin Temple.
The name of the principal image, “Sho Kannon,” is written in the center, while “Seiryuzan Jizoin” and “Koyasan Kurashiki Betsuin” are written at the lower left.
When receiving a goshuin at Jizoin Temple, please pay the sutra-copying fee.
▼To receive a goshuin, tell the temple staff member just to the left after entering on the first floor, “I would like to receive a goshuin.”
Please check in advance, as the temple may be unable to provide a goshuin if the head priest is away or a Buddhist service or event is taking place.
Services and Events at Koyasan Kurashiki Betsuin Seiryuzan Jizoin Temple
The main services held at Jizoin Temple throughout the year are as follows.
| Service | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Bishamonten Goma Prayer Service | January 1 | 6:00–around 6:30 a.m. |
| Bishamonten Goma Prayer Service | January 2 | 7:00–around 7:30 p.m. |
| Bishamonten Goma Prayer Service, Great Perfection of Wisdom Sutra Recitation Service | January 3 | 2:00–around 2:30 p.m. |
| Bishamonten Goma Prayer Service | 3rd of each month, February–December | 6:00–around 6:30 a.m. |
| Principal Image (Kannon) Service | 17th of each month | 7:30–around 8:00 p.m. |
| Sending Off the Buddha (Obon service) | August 15 | 6:00–8:00 p.m. |
The services are open to people of all Buddhist sects.
Anyone may attend.
Please note that dates and times may change, except for New Year’s and the Sending Off the Buddha service.
Be sure to check in advance before visiting.
History of Koyasan Kurashiki Betsuin Seiryuzan Jizoin Temple
Although Jizoin Temple is in the city center and has a modern building, it actually has a long history.
It is not known when Jizoin Temple was founded.
It was also not originally located where it stands today.
It was first located on Mt. Ashitaka in the Sasaoki district, about 2.5 kilometers south of its present location.
The mountain rises just south of the Route 2 bypass that runs through Sasaoki today.
It was one of the jinguji (temples that managed shrines) of Ashitaka Shrine, which stands atop the mountain.
At that time, the temple was called “Seiryuzan Jizoin Inoueji.”
In 1585, during the Azuchi-Momoyama period, it moved to Hiyose-sho Village, now Hiyose-cho in Kurashiki City.
It then moved to Kurashiki Village (now central Kurashiki City) during the Jokyo era (1684–1688), in the early Edo period.
In December 1868, a fire broke out and destroyed the main hall, leaving the temple unoccupied.
However, in 1901, the high priest Ekai entered the temple as its new head priest from Hotoji Temple (in what is now the Tsurajima district of Kurashiki City), and the main hall was rebuilt in 1909.
He also founded the present-day Mikuni Kindergarten.
In 1951, it was officially recognized by Koyasan Headquarters as a special branch temple, Koyasan Kurashiki Betsuin.
Later, as part of urban development, some of the temple grounds were donated to the city, and the present building was constructed.
Ashitaka Shrine still stands on Mt. Ashitaka today.
From the Writer
Jizoin Temple is easy to find, located along Kurashiki Chuodori.
Like a temple in the middle of a city, it has a modern reinforced-concrete design, but it also has a surprisingly long history.
It is also a branch temple of Koyasan.
The underground Kannon Hall has a mystical atmosphere and is a must-see.
Another noteworthy point is that, despite being in central Kurashiki, which was a tenryo (territory directly controlled by the Tokugawa shogunate), the temple enjoyed unusually strong devotion from the lords of the Okayama Domain.
Why not visit for your first shrine or temple visit of the New Year and see the Buddhist statue made by Ikeda Tsugumasa, lord of the Okayama Domain?
Koyasan Kurashiki Betsuin Seiryuzan Jizoin Temple Information
| Name | Koyasan Kurashiki Betsuin Seiryuzan Jizoin Temple |
|---|---|
| Buddhist sect | Koyasan Shingon Buddhism |
| Location | 3-20-17 Achi, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 086-425-0143 |
| Parking | Available 2–3 cars |
| Principal images | ・Main hall: Sho Kannon Bosatsu (also known as Sho Kannon Bosatsu or Sho Kannon Bosatsu) ・Right hall: Bishamonten ・Left hall: Jizo and Aizen Myoo |
| Benefits | Worldly benefits |
| Goshuin (sutra-copying fee) | Available (300 yen) ※ Fee set by the Bichu Branch of Koyasan Shingon Buddhism ※ Not available when the head priest is away |
| Visiting hours | Daytime only |
| Closed to visitors | Not open to visitors on Saturday and Sunday afternoons or public holidays |
| Admission | Free (donations accepted instead) |
| Payment methods for admission and sutra-copying fees |
|
| Restroom | Western-style toilet |
What would you like to know about Kurashiki?
Enter a word to search articles on this site
