Chichibu Fudasho No.14 Imamiya-bo Temple
The Kannon Hall, first built in 1039, was rebuilt in 1709 and still stands today. In the past, this temple administered the nearby Chichibu Imamiya Shrine. In 1868, under a government policy that separated Shinto and Buddhism, the temple was formally separated from the shrine.
In front of the hall stands the Tower of Reincarnation, said to bring supreme happiness to the living and rebirth from hell to the heavens for the deceased when it is turned.
Chichibu Fudasho No.14 Imamiya-bo Temple
- Japanese / English notation
- 長岳山 今宮坊（ちょうがくさん いまみやぼう）/ Chogaku-San Imamiya-bo Temple
- Location
- 〒368-0043 Naka-machi25-12,chichibu-shi,Saitama
- School
- Rinzai Zen School, Nanzen-ji Branch
- Principal Image
- Sho Kannon (Sacred Kannon)
- Tagline
- A Healing Temple Where Prayer Gently Unwinds the Heart
- Blessings
- Extended Life and Well-Being
- Protection from Misfortune
- Academic Success
- Highlights
- Flying Celestial Figure: This graceful Buddhist statue of a heavenly being is on the right side inside the Main Hall. It holds a lotus stem and kneels on a cloud.
- Zelkova tree: This is about 500 years old.
- Miracles of Kannon at This Temple
- Ishihara Kunai
Ishihara Kunai, a retainer of a samurai lord, deeply believed in Kannon. Once, his lord misunderstood him and sentenced him to death. However, under Kannon’s protection, a young monk appeared in the lord’s dream, asking him not to kill Kunai. The lord saw this as a miracle and stopped the execution, forgiving Kunai. It is told that he was saved by Kannon’s mercy.
- Nearest station
- 10-minutes walk from Chichibu Railway Ohanabatake Station.