Temple 39, Enkōji
History of the temple
This is the last temple in Tosa (Kochi). The temples of Tosa are considered temples of religious discipline.
The origin of the name Enkōji is related to the legend of Ryugujo, a supernatural dragon palace under the sea. In 911 a red turtle living in the dragon palace came to land with a copper bell on its back. The monks immediately dedicated the bell to the temple and changed the name of the temple to Shakkizan Enkōji. It is a small bell , 33.6 cm tall, with an inside diameter of 23 cm. It is inscribed, "On the first day of the eleventh year of the Enki era..." In the early Meiji era (1868-1912), it was rung at the opening and closing of the Kochi Prefectural Assembly. It is a National Important Cultural Property.
In 724, by order of Emperor Shomu (reigned 724-49), Gyoki carved a statue of Yakushi Nyorai (Medicine Buddha) to pray for safe delivery and to ward off bad luck. Then he built this temple and made this statue the principal image. At that time, the temple was called Kikakuzan in reference to the appearance of Yakushi Nyorai, Seyakuin and Hokoji. Some of the ashes of the historical Buddha that Gyoki had obtained were put within the statue.
Kobo Daishi visited this temple during the Enryaku era (782-806). The temple was then rebuilt as an imperial temple for Emperor Kanmu (reigned 781-806), and seven major buildings were constructed, along with statues of Nikko and Gekko Bosatsu (the Bodhisattvas of the Sun and Moon). He also poked the ground with his shakujo (Buddhist priest’s staff) and sacred water gushed out. This is now called the Eye Washing Well.
Highlights
Eye Washing Well
The well is located on the right side of Hondo. Kobo Daishi named this well Hoi Sui (Treasury Medicine Water). The water is said to have power for curing eye diseases and many pilgrims apply the water to their eyes.
Stone statue of a red turtle
This statue is located on the right hand side (facing inward), inside the Niomon Gate. The stone statue is based on the legend of the Dragon's Palace. It depicts a large red turtle with a bell on its back. The real bell is kept at the temple.
Stone monument erected in 1680
Annual Events
- Setsubun Festival: February 3
- Yakubarai Kitoe (Prayer Ritual for Warding off Evil): Early noon of Feb.
- Ennichi Taisai Festival: August 21
Details
Number: Temple 39
Names: Shakkizan, Jisan-in, Enkōji
Denomination: Chisan sect of Shingon Buddhism
Principal image: Yakushi Nyorai
Founder: Gyoki
Founded: 724
Mantra of Yakushi Nyorai: On Korokoro Sendari Matougi Sowaka
Access
Address: 390 Nakayama, Hirata Town, Sukumo City, Kochi 788-0782
Phone: 0880-66-0225
Parking: 50 cars, 10 microbuses, 5 buses (free)
Lodging: None
Official website: None
Driving directions: From the Tosa Kuroshio Railway Sukumo Station, take National Route 56 in the direction of Nakamura City, and turn left at the Terayamaguchi bus stop. Continue straight for about one kilometer. The temple is straight ahead.