Akashiji Temple 43 Sasaguri Pilgrimage

 

An almost ten metre tall Fudo Myoo statue towers over Akashiji Temple and is clearly visible from a distance as you approach the temple.

It is called a Yakuyoke Namiikiri Fudo, a wawe-cutting Fudo against misfortune.

Yakuyoke is the Chinese system of "bad luck years", for men when they are 25, 42, and 61, and for women, 19, 33, 37, and also 61.

Afet entering through the main gate there are a further two gates to reach the main hall, one for women and one for men, with each having a corresponding number of steps to yakuyoke years.

The honzon is a seated Senju Kannon, only open to the public twice a year during festivals.

There is also a Bokefuji Kannon for protection against senility.

There are numerous other statues throughout the grounds including more Fudo's, the Seven Lucky Gods, and Kobo Daishi.

The temple previously had a shukubo, temple lodgings, though now it has been turned into a public ryokan, though offers many of the facilities of a shukubo for those who wish.

Behind the Main hall a path leading up to the Okunoin is lined with the 33 Kannon statues from the Saigoku Kannon Pilgrimage. Akashiji is also on the Kyushu Kannon Pilgrimage as well as the Sasaguri Pilgrimage.

I visited coming to the end of my first day walking along the Sasaguri Pilgrimage. The previous post was on Daihoji temple 44 nearby.