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The Origins of Dainichibo at Mt.Yudono

The Mountain of Devotion: The Origins of Dainichibo at Mt.Yudono

A great religious leader opened Dainichibo in the 2nd year of the Daido Era(AD 807). Originally named Kyooyugaji, later it was changed to Ryusuiji-kongoin. At that time, women were forbidden to worship at Mt.Yudono, but they were able to visit and pray at Dainichibo, the main temple of Mt.Yudono. Dainichibo was rebuilt by Kasuga no Tsubone, and records show the Sakai Clan made considerable donations to the temple. The present temple was moved from its original location by landslide in 1936.

According to a discovered marker, Niomon Gate was built in the Kamakura Era(1185-1333), making it the oldest Niomon Gate in Yamagata prefecture. A Japanese cedar tree over 1,800 years old stands within the original grounds and has been designated a natural monument by the prefecture. It is called the “imperial altar” because it was planted on the gravesite of Prince Mimurowake, the son of Emperor Keiko. In 1971, Prince Ayanomiya made a visit to the tree.
In addition, Hokyointo(a stone monument), the biggest Koshinto stone monument in Japan, and sokushin-butsu(living Buddha) are found at the temple. They are some of the many cultural treasures located here at the most sacred mountain in the northeast, Mt.Yudono.

Oami Guardhouse stands in the former temple grounds. The area from Watanae to Oami, and from Oami to Oisawa was called Rokuju-ri Kaido. In the old days, the distance of one ri was called six ri , and ten ri (40km) was called 60 ri.
Dainichibo is an historic temple boasting artifacts excavated from the original site, the holy ground of the living Buddhas, the restored Kannondo Temple built in the early Edo Era, various national treasures, and many mysteries.

(From Dinichibo pamphlet)

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The 16 Buddhas

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The History of the 16 Buddhas

The 16 Buddhas are carved into the cliffs which run for several hundred meters against the rough waves of the Sea of japan. They were sculpted by Ishikawa Kankai, the 21st priest of the Zen Buddhist Kaizen-ji Temple, between the years of 1864 and 1868. We give thanks for his hard work and devotion in skillfully carving this divine monument of 22 statues into the cliff face.
Having had the idea to carve the statues, the Priest went to Sakata seeking donations to fund the work. When enough money had been raised, he supervised local masons in carving one statue, and continued in this way until the project was complete.
The statues are all busts and are arranged around the figures of Shaka, Monju and Fugen. They were carved to fit in with the shape of the rocks and even complement of the natural beauty of the area. The 16 Buddhas monument reaffirms the faith of all those who come here and is a testimony to the benevolence of the priest who created it.

March 1975
Kaizen-ji Temple
Fukura, Yuza Town.

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