“A hundred beatings at this gate.” Can you imagine such a thing? That’s the legend surrounding the mountain gate of Kannon-ji. We are standing before Kannon-ji Temple. It is also known as Kasame Yama. This temple belongs to the Jodo sect.
Let’s delve into the history of Kannon-ji. It was founded in 1607 by Priest Bairin at Ichijo Muromachi. Unfortunately the Great Fire of Tenmei destroyed the temple. Important records were also lost. This makes an accurate history difficult.
Legend says the mountain gate came from the old Momoyama Castle prison. It is said prisoners were beaten a hundred times before this gate upon release. Thus it was called the “hundred-beating gate”. Another wonder involves the door’s latch. It is made from a single paulownia board. This is one of the “Seven Wonders of Demizu”.
Inside Kannon-ji’s main hall is a statue. It is believed to be sculpted by An’ami, a disciple of Unkei. During an epidemic in 1390 many corpses were abandoned along Horikawa Ichijo. Yamana Ujikiyo prayed for an end to the plague. Miraculously the dead were resurrected.
Another tale speaks of Miyoshi Kiyoyuki who died in 918. During his funeral his son, Kiyotsura, prayed to Buddha. Kiyoyuki was revived. The bridge where this happened is called Kaeri-bashi or Return Bridge.
Belief in Kannon-ji grew and it became known as Sennin-do or Thousand People Hall. During the Keicho era it moved to its current location. It is part of the Rakuyo Kannon Pilgrimage. The grounds also feature the famous “child-rearing Jizo”. So now you know a little bit more about Kannon-ji.