Chichibu Fudasho No.18 Godo-ji Temple
The temple was once a training site for Shugendo, a traditional form of mountain ascetic practice. The temple once had many buildings, most of which were lost in a fire around 1800.
After that, only the Kannon Hall was rebuilt. However, it burned down again between 1830 and 1844. The current Kannon Hall was reconstructed around 1858.
The principal statue is unusual because it holds lotus flowers in both hands.
Chichibu Fudasho No.18 Godo-ji Temple
- Japanese / English notation
- 白道山 神門寺（はくどうざん ごうどじ）/ Hakudo-Zan Godo-ji Temple
- Location
- 〒368-0021 Shimomiyaji-machi5-15,chichibushi,Saitama
- School
- Soto Zen School
- Principal Image
- Sho Kannon (Sacred Kannon)
- Tagline
- A Temple That Has Survived Centuries of Rise and Fall
- Blessings
- Fire Protection
- Traffic Safety
- Freedom from Illness
- Highlights
- Main Hall curved roof gable: This has carvings of a turtle on waves, based on folk beliefs that turtles protect buildings from fire.
- Corridor behind the Main Hall: This has cords connected to the hand of the principal Kannon statue for touching and forming a deep connection with Kannon.
- Miracles of Kannon at This Temple
- A Shrine Maiden's Oracle
Long ago, large sakaki trees stood at the Shinto shrine on this site. Their branches stretched out from both sides, forming a shape like a gate, so people called it the “divine gate,” which led to the current temple's name.
Later, the shrine fell into ruin. When the villagers offered sacred dance to mark their intention to rebuild the shrine, a shrine maiden received a spiritual message. Following her guidance, they decided not to rebuild the shrine, but to build a Buddhist temple instead.
- Nearest station
- 15-minutes walk from Chichibu Railway Oonohara Station.