Chichibu Fudasho No.15 Shorin-ji Temple
The former Hahaso-zan Zofuku-ji Temple, which was once part of Chichibu Shrine, was abolished in 1868 during the government’s separation of Shinto and Buddhism.
After a fire in 1878, Goyo-zan Shorin-ji Temple moved here and inherited its lineage. This led to the present name, Hahaso-zan Shorin-ji.
Learning from the past fire, the Main Hall was rebuilt with a fire-resistant structure, featuring lacquered surfaces and thick earthen walls.
Chichibu Fudasho No.15 Shorin-ji Temple
- Japanese / English notation
- 母巣山 少林寺（ははそさん しょうりんじ）/ Hahaso-San Shorin-ji Temple
- Location
- 〒368-0041 Banba-cyou7-9,chichibu-shi,Saitama
- School
- Rinzai Zen School, Nanzen-ji Branch
- Principal Image
- Juichimen Kannon (Eleven-Faced Kannon)
- Tagline
- A Temple with a Western-Style Main Hall
- Blessings
- World Peace
- Disaster Prevention
- Household Peace
- Highlights
- Owl on the gate: The owl is believed to have “good insight” and to be “wise in worldly affairs” because of its night vision. In Japanese, fukurou (owl) is also linked to good luck through wordplays such as “no hardships,” “good fortune comes,” and “happy life.”
- Single-Wish Daruma Doll:
This Daruma doll is used for praying for the fulfillment of a single wish, emphasizing one important prayer through reflection.
- Miracles of Kannon at This Temple
- A Strange Tale
Long ago, a merchant traveling through the area overheard people plotting to spread a disease and quickly warned his hometown. A master craftsman entrusted the merchant with a Kannon statue, saying, “Please use it to save the people of the eastern provinces.” As the merchant carried the statue, mysterious blessings continued, and the Kannon statue was placed here. Since then, the site has been honored as a place to protect against disease.
- Nearest station
- 5-minutes walk from Chichibu Railway Ohanabatake Station.