Saimon-in Temple
Saimon-in Temple is the special head temple
of the Shingon sect of Buddhism, located in Odawara Valley, Koyasan, Wakayama
Prefecture.
The principal image is Amida Nyorai, said
to have been created by Eshin Sozugen Shinshin.
It was founded in the Enkyu era (1069-1073)
by Kyokai Shonin (Odawara Shonin), who is said to be the founder of the Koyasan
Nenbutsu group.
It was originally called Shaka-in, but
because Emperor Go-Toba's son Doshu Hoin lived there, it became known as
Shaka-in.
It was renamed Saimon-in after receiving
the faith of Mokabe-mon-in (Nishinaka-gomon-in), the middle shrine of Emperor
Gohorikawa.
During the Tensho era (1573-92) of the
Azuchi-Momoyama period, the Seiga hoin of this temple was used along with Mokujiki
Ogo Shonin.
He is credited with building the Great
Buddha Hall (Hoko-ji Temple) in Kyoto and the Kannon-do Hall at Ishiyama-dera
Temple.
It has close relationships with the Satomi
family of Boso (Chiba prefecture), as well as various daimyo in Kazusa,
Shimousa, and Awa provinces, and has many followers in Chiba Prefecture.
Take a bus from Koyasan Station on the
Nankai Electric Railway Koya Line and get off at Odawara-dori bus stop.
