Chichibu Fudasho No.22 Doji-do Temple
According to temple tradition, in 915 there was a smallpox outbreak among children. People offered water from between the rocks to the Kannon, then applied it to the children’s affected areas. They recovered quickly, and the Kannon came to be known for protecting children’s health.
The grand Kannon Hall was built in 1701. It was originally located at another site and moved here in 1901. This site used to be a fortress, and traces of moats and embankments can still be seen behind the hall and in nearby fields.
Chichibu Fudasho No.22 Doji-do Temple
- Japanese / English notation
- 華台山 童子堂（かだいさん どうじどう）/ Kadai-San Doji-do Temple
- Location
- 〒368-0056 Terao3600,chichibu-shi,Saitama
- School
- Shingon School, Buzan Sect
- Principal Image
- Sho Kannon (Sacred Kannon)
- Tagline
- A Serene Temple Hall Where Childlike Nio Guardians Welcome Visitors
- Blessings
- Peaceful Child-Rearing
- Protection from Epidemics
- Health Protection
- Highlights
- Kannon Hall front door carvings: These are high-relief carvings of the wind god, the thunder god, and karyobinga, a mythical bird with a human head. The karyobinga is said to live in paradise and produce beautiful sounds in snowy mountains.
- Nio statues at the gate: These were made by an amateur and are designed to resemble children. They are simple but charming.
- Miracles of Kannon at This Temple
- A Child Who Became a Dog
Long ago, in the province of Sanuki on the island of Shikoku, there was a very greedy man. One day, he harshly insulted a monk who was passing by. At that moment, the man's son was turned into a dog.
The man was shocked and apologized to the monk, but his son did not return to human form. Filled with deep sorrow, the man traveled with his son, now a dog, visiting temples in the west and east, and finally in Chichibu.
It is told that when they eventually visited this temple, the son was finally able to return to his human form.
- Nearest station
- 35-minutes walk from Chichibu Railway Chichibu Station.