Basic Information
Description
Said to have been founded in 594 by Prince Shotoku to pray for the repose of his father, Emperor Yomei. The principal image, a standing Jizo Bosatsu, is also attributed to Prince Shotoku, but it was damaged in a fire in 2000 and is now kept in storage. Empress Kenreimon-in — consort of Emperor Takakura, daughter of Taira no Kiyomori, and mother of Emperor Antoku — secluded herself here after surviving the mass drowning of the Taira clan (she was pulled from the water by the Minamoto forces). The temple later fell into disrepair but was restored by Yodo-gimi (Toyotomi Hideyoshi's consort) to pray for the souls of her parents and siblings. The main hall was destroyed in a fire in 2000; the current structure is a reconstruction.
"Who could have imagined — that I would dwell deep in these mountains, gazing at the moon above the clouds as though it belonged to another world."
— Empress Kenreimon-in