浄玄寺

Pilgrims once arrived by boat, seeking blessings at Jigen-ji. Imagine their lively debates with those arriving on foot. Victory in these arguments was said to bring a year of happiness. This temple, nestled at the foot of Mount Iimori in Daitō, Osaka, is also known as Nozaki Kannon. It holds a captivating history, centered around its revered 11-faced statue of Kanzeon Bosatsu, or Kannon. Legend whispers that the statue was carved by the high priest Gyōki, who lived from 668 to 749. Jigen-ji’s history is marked by both destruction and resilience. In 1565, soldiers of Miyoshi and Matsunaga burned the temple to the ground. Yet, miraculously, the Kannon statue survived. Years later, in 1616, the priest Seigan rebuilt Jigen-ji. The temple’s fame grew, particularly during the Genroku and Hōei periods, from 1688 to 1710. Pilgrimages to Nozaki Kannon, known as “Nozaki Mairi,” became a cherished tradition. This practice is documented in various works, including Chikamatsu Monzaemon’s “Onnakoroshi Abura no Jigoku” and Chikamatsu Hanji’s “Shinpan Uta Zaimon.” Even a rakugo performance, a traditional Japanese comedic storytelling, bears the title “Nozaki Mairi.” The enduring popularity of Jigen-ji is further cemented by the song “Nozaki-kouta” by Tarō Shōji. This poignant song tells the tragic love story of Osome, a merchant’s daughter, and Hisamatsu, a shop boy. Their tale adds another layer of emotional depth to this sacred place. Even today, Jigen-ji continues to draw crowds. Every year, from May 1st to 10th, the path from Nozaki Station to the temple transforms into a bustling fair. It attracts over 200,000 pilgrims and visitors, eager to experience the spiritual atmosphere and vibrant festivities. Jigen-ji also houses other notable relics, including a painting of Shakyamuni Buddha in nirvana, known as “Shaka Nehan Zu,” and a stone monument inscribed with a poem by the renowned poet Matsuo Bashō.