Saiko-ji

Lost to the world, a nobleman named Karukaya sought solace in Buddhism at Saiko-ji. He abandoned his family, his young daughter Chiyozuru, and his pregnant wife, Chisato. Karukaya spent thirteen years in Kyoto, then retreated to the sacred mountain of Koya-san. Driven by unwavering love, Chisato and her son, Ishido, embarked on a desperate search. Their journey led them to Koya-san, where women were forbidden. Chisato waited, sending Ishido alone into the valley. There, he encountered a saintly hermit, unaware that it was his father, Karukaya. Bound by his vows, Karukaya concealed his identity, telling Ishido that his father was dead. Tragedy struck upon Ishido’s return. His mother lay dying. He carried her ashes back to Kyushu, only to learn of his sister’s passing. Believing himself an orphan, Ishido returned to Koya-san, dedicating his life to Buddhism under the hermit’s guidance. Saiko-ji became their shared sanctuary, but rumors of their true relationship spread. Karukaya, tormented, left Ishido again under the guise of pilgrimage. The truth eventually reached Ishido. He set out to find his father, his heart heavy with longing. But fate dealt a cruel blow. When Ishido finally found Saiko-ji, his father’s hermitage, Karukaya was gone. Ishido remained at Saiko-ji, living as a hermit until his own death. Inside Saiko-ji, two Jizo statues stand as silent witnesses. One carved by Karukaya, the other by Ishido. Three stone towers hold their ashes, a poignant reminder of their intertwined lives. Near the main hall, bronze statues capture the heartbreaking moment of Karukaya’s denial. Within the main hall, Buddhist illustrations adorn the screens, sometimes used in e-toki, a unique practice of explaining Buddhist doctrine. Saiko-ji stands as one of the few temples where this tradition continues. Unlike many other temples, visitors can enter Saiko-ji’s main hall. Admire the ornate shrine, the statues, sculptures, and the wooden carvings depicting Buddhist scenes above the altar. Saiko-ji whispers a tale of love, loss, and the enduring power of the human spirit.