Nan'in is a temple located in Muroin Valley, Mount Koya, Wakayama Prefecture.
It was built by Sozu Kojima, a scholar of Todaiji Temple, who lived in the Nan'in of Todaiji Temple, hence the name.
It is known as the final temple of the Kinki 36 Fudoson Sacred Sites.
The principal image, the Great Saint Namikiri Fudo Myo-o (a national important cultural property), is a secret Buddha image that is only open to the public on June 28th every year.
Namikiri Fudo Myo-o was hand-made by Kobo Daishi from the sacred red sandalwood tree that he received from his teacher, Keika (Hoiguo) Ajari(monk), as a guardian deity for his lifetime.
When he returned from China in 806, it is said that he arrived safely in Hakata in response to the prayers of Kobo Daishi amidst the rough waves of the Genkai Sea, and the name "Namikiri (cut the wave of the sea)Fudo Myo-o" was given to him for this reason.
Afterwards, it was enshrined at Jingoji Temple in Kyoto, and then moved to Daigoji Temple.
During the Taira no Masakado Rebellion in the mid-Heian period, the sword was enshrined at Atsuta Shrine in Nagoya, where a surrender goma ceremony was held, and the sword was left at Atsuta Shrine by the will of Emperor Gosanjo.
Then, it is said that Emperor Gosanjo had the Myo-o carry the sword he had made himself and returned to Mount Koya.
In 1075, during the time of Inspector Ihan, it was made the principal image of Nan-in.
During the Mongol Invasion in 1289, by imperial order, Kenryu Ajari and 60 other mountain monks led a Myo-o to seclude themselves on Shiga Island in Hakata and prayed for the defeat of the Mongol army.
A white dragon, which is said to be the incarnation of Acala, is painted on the ceiling of the outer sanctuary of the main hall.
If you clap your hands under the painting, the sound resonates beautifully and is said to be the roar of a dragon.
In the northern corner of the temple grounds, there is a monument bearing the poem of "Oono Rinka".
Take the bus from Koyasan Station on the Nankai Koya Line, get off at Namikirifudomae, and it is a short walk from there.
