Cultural Assets－Temples and Shrines

Nakanobo was founded by En no Gyoja as a Shugendo training site during the Hakuho era (645 to 710). On the grounds is Ryuo-sha Shrine, which is dedicated to a dragon god summoned by En no Gyoja from Kumano. Nakanobo has served as the head of the subsidiary temples of Taima-dera Temple and as its oldest monastery. It became the Chu-in Gobo, the living quarters for the temple’s head priest during the Tenpyo era (729 to 749).
It was here that Princess Chujo became a nun and underwent ascetic training. Legend has it that she wove the Taima Mandala, which has been designated a National Treasure.
The principal object of worship is a statue of Juichimen (“11-faced”) Kannon, which is popularly known as the Guiding Kannon and attracts considerable faith among worshipers. The Nakanobo includes Koguen Garden, which numbers among the three great Yamato (Nara) gardens. There is also the Reihoden, which is open to visitors and which features a collection of numerous items, including relics from the time of the monastery’s construction and treasures related to Princess Chujo. Exhibit contents are changed four or five times a year. The monastery is also known for Daranisuke, En no Gyoja’s secret elixir.