信貴山朝護孫子寺 Shigisan-chougo-sonshi-ji Shigi-san Chougosonshi-ji Temple
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Shigi-san Chougosonshi-ji Temple is the head temple of the Shigi-san faction of Shingon Buddhism and is located in Mt. Shigi in Heguri Town, Ikoma, Nara Prefecture. It is also the head temple of Bishamonten, one of the Seven Deities of Good Fortune. Mt. Shigi is said to be the first place in Japan where Bishamonten appeared. Legend has it that when Prince Shoutoku-taishi prayed for victory over Mononobe no Moriya, - an opponent of the Buddhism that the prince was promoting - Bishamonten appeared on Mt. Shigi at the hour of the tiger, on the day of the tiger, in the year of the tiger, and led the prince to victory. To express his deep gratitude, the prince built a temple dedicated to Bishamonten in 594 and named the temple Shigi-san which can be translated as “the mountain to be trusted and respected”. This anecdote is believed to be a reason why paper-tigers are placed around the temple. Affectionately known as “Shigi no Bishamon-san”, the temple is especially crowded with visitors during their first visit of the year (New Year’s Day). As the temple enshrines Bishamonten, the original god of war and warriors, and also has a tiger as a guardian god, Chougosonshi-ji Temple is also famous for attracting professional baseball players from the Hanshin Tigers who go there to pray for victory.
- address
- 2280-1 Shigisan, Heguri-cho, Ikoma-gun, Nara Prefecture, 636-0923
- name
- Shigi-san Chougosonshi-ji Temple
- phone
- 0745-72-2277
- hp
- http://www.sigisan.or.jp/