Chichibu Fudasho No.17 Jorin-ji Temple
Before the Chichibu pilgrimage was arranged in its present order, this temple was the first stop where pilgrims made their vows.
The Bell Tower, reconstructed in 1963, houses a precious bell recast in 1758. The bell displays reliefs of the principal images of the Chichibu, Saigoku, and Bando pilgrimages, collectively known as the One Hundred Kannon. It also shows their goeika sacred verses.
Chichibu Fudasho No.17 Jorin-ji Temple
- Japanese / English notation
- 実正山 定林寺（じっしょうさん じょうりんじ）/ Jissho-San Jorin-ji Temple
- Location
- 〒368-0025 Sakuragi-machi21-3,chichibushi,Saitama
- School
- Soto Zen School
- Principal Image
- Juichimen Kannon (Eleven-Faced Kannon)
- Tagline
- A Temple with a Bell Featuring the One Hundred Kannon in Relief
- Blessings
- Fertility Blessings
- Peaceful Child-Rearing
- Safe Child Growth
- Highlights
- Main Hall ceiling: This has paintings of flowers and birds.
- Main Hall upper panel carvings: These are openwork carvings of flowers and birds on the left and right panels.
- Main Hall corridor: This has cords behind the sanctuary, connected to the principal Kannon statue for touching and forming a deep connection with Kannon.
- Miracles of Kannon at This Temple
- A Fearless Lord
Long ago, there was a samurai lord with a harsh temper. When one of his retainers tried to correct him, he became furious, drove the man away and took all his belongings.
The retainer wandered from place to place with his wife and child and eventually came to this site, but the husband and wife fell ill and died. Their three-year-old child was taken in and raised by a monk.
Some years later, the lord came here on a hunting trip. When he heard the story from the monk, he deeply regretted what he had done and apologized to the retainer’s grown child. It is told that he then built a hall to honor the deceased retainer.
- Nearest station
- 20-minutes walk from Chichibu Railway Chichibu Station.