Chichibu Fudasho No.5 Goka-do Temple
The current Kannon Hall was rebuilt between 1804 and 1818.
The gate, moved here from nearby Choko-ji Temple in 1720, has statues of the Wind and Thunder Gods standing behind it, giving it a distinctive appearance.
This is the only site on the Chichibu Pilgrimage that enshrines Juntei Kannon, also called the Mother of Buddhas, as its principal image.
The pilgrimage stamp office is located at Choko-ji Temple, a three-minute walk away.
Chichibu Fudasho No.5 Goka-do Temple
- Japanese / English notation
- 小川山 語歌堂（おがわさん ごかどう）/ Ogawa-San Goka-do Temple
- Location
- 〒368-0072 Yokoze6086,yokozemachi,chichibu-gun,Saitama
- School
- Rinzai Zen School, Nanzen-ji Branch
- Principal Image
- Juntei Kannon (Cundi Kannon)
- Tagline
- A Temple Hall That Supports Learning and the Arts
- Blessings
- Improvement in Poetry
- Success in Literature
- Talent Realization
- Highlights
- Kannon Hall roof structure: This has wooden beams and fan-shaped rafters made by a local master carpenter trained in Edo, old Tokyo.
- Nio statues at the gate: These were made by local woodworkers.
- Miracles of Kannon at This Temple
- A Lover of Poetry
Long ago, there was a wealthy and faithful man in this area who loved poetry. He visited this hall every day, praying to improve his skill in waka, traditional Japanese poetry. One day, a traveling monk came, and the two discussed the profound techniques of waka. The next morning, the monk had disappeared, and it was later revealed that he had been Prince Shotoku, an important historical figure in Japan who promoted poetry and Buddhism. To honor him, the man named the hall Goka-do, meaning “Hall of Poetry,” and remembered his virtue.
There is also a story about a mother whose daughter was taken by a demon bird. Even though she was distressed, she prayed earnestly to the Kannon enshrined here. Her daughter safely returned, and since then, this Kannon has also been called “Child-Returning Kannon.”
- Nearest station
- 30-minutes walk from Seibu Railway Yokoze Station.