Cultural Assets－Temples and Shrines

This temple was founded by En no Gyoja. It is popularly known as “Kannon-san of Nougawa.” The statue of Senju Sengen Kannon Bosatsu (a “thousand-armed, thousand-eyed” goddess of mercy) in the main hall is said to be the work of En no Gyoja himself. The temple, which later became an official temple of the imperial court at the order of Emperor Kanmu (reigned 781 to 806), inspired broad faith among worshipers. Until recently, shiraga-mochi (“white-hair rice cakes”) were handed out to worshipers during Kannon memorial services. This tradition is said to have begun when a father who was concerned about his beloved daughter’s white hair prayed to the temple’s principal image in the Edo Period (1603 to 1867). The girl’s hair abruptly reverted to its original black color, and a subsequent rice cake-throwing offering became a ritual.