Temple 46, Jōruriji

History of the temple

ōruriji is the first of the eight pilgrimage temples in Matsuyama City. A monument to the left of the temple entrance welcomes pilgrims with a haiku by Masaoka Shiki, "Lengthening days, Emon Saburo Jōruriji.” This area is the hometown of Emon Saburo, who is said to have been the first pilgrim in the history of the Shikoku Pilgrimage.

According to legend, in 708 Gyoki visited this area as a missionary prior to the opening of the Great Buddha of Nara, and built this temple as a suitable place for practicing Buddhism. Gyoki carved a sandalwood statue of Yakushi Nyorai (Medicine Buddha) as the principal image. Then he carved Nikko Bosatsu (Sunlight Bodhisattva) and Gekko Bosatsu (Moonlight Bodhisattva) as side statues and also statues of the Twelve Divine Generals as the attendants of Yakushi Nyorai. The temple was named Jōruriji after the Rurikō Jōdo, the Pure Land where Yakushi Nyorai resides. The mountain name of the temple (temples are metaphorically called mountains) comes from Io Nyorai, another name for Yakushi Nyorai.

About a hundred years later, in 807, Kobo Daishi came here when he returned from Tang Dynasty China. The temple was in ruins, so he restored it and made it part of the Shikoku Pilgrimage. At the end of the Muromachi period (1336-1573), Hiraoka Michiyori, a general of the Ashikaga shogunate, prayed to the principal image for relief from an illness and recovered completely. He was so moved that he devoted himself to the temple and rebuilt the pagoda.

In 1715 a forest fire destroyed the temple and its treasures except for the principal image and side statues. In 1785 Gyo-on, who became a head priest after having been a village official, made great efforts to restore the temple. He traveled around the country asking for money and with the money he collected he rebuilt the temple in its present form. Also known as a social entrepreneur, he built eight bridges along the Tosa Kaido Road from Iwayaji to Matsuyama City, though construction was difficult.

The 1,000-year-old Chinese juniper in the precincts of Iwayaji is an object of worship. It is a Natural Monument of Matsuyama City.

Highlights

Buddha Handprints and Footprints

These are located under a large, 1,000-year-old Chinese juniper in the precincts of the temple. They are believed to have power to prolong life and produce a bountiful harvest. This 20-meter-high Chinese juniper is said to have been blessed by Kobo Daishi and is a Natural Monument of Matsuyama City.

Ichigan Bentendo

Located in the torii (gateway) at the left end of the Hondo. A statue of Benten (Benzaiten) is enshrined here and is said to bring spiritual blessings in the form of music, wisdom, beauty, treasure, and good fortune.

Preaching Stone

A stone seat with a piece of stone from Vulture Peak in India, where the Buddha preached and practiced Buddhism.

Details

Number: Temple 46
Names: Iōzan, Yōjuin, Jōruriji
Denomination: Shingon sect, Buzan sect
Principal image: Yakushi Nyorai
Founder: Gyoki
Founded: 708
Mantra of Yakushi Nyorai: On Korokoro Sendari Matougi Sowaka

Access

Address: 282 Joruri Town, Matsuyama City, Ehime 791-1133
Phone: 089-963-0279
Parking: Yes (free of charge)
Lodging: None
Official website: None
Driving directions: From the Matsuyama Interchange, take Route 33 toward Tobe. Turn left at the first intersection after crossing the Shigenobu Bridge. Take Prefectural Route 23 and turn right at the Hirose bus stop. Drive in the direction of Kutani, and you will find it on the right.