Hoshakuji
宝積寺
Hoshakuji 宝積寺
Hoshakuji is located on the hillside of Mt. Tennozan. One of the main trailheads to climb the mountain can be found on the grounds of this temple. Daikokuten, the God of Wealth, who holds a legendary miracle hammer which brings prosperity and wealth, is worshipped at this temple.
Hoshakuji was built by the monk Gyoki in 724. The area surrounding Hoshakuji has been a major transportation and military hub since ancient times. In 1582 the "Battle of Yamazaki" between Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Mitsuhide Akechi took place on this mountain and it is said that Hideyoshi's headquarters was located here. Many of the statuary found at this temple were carved in the Kamakura era, (1192-1333), including the Nio guardian statues standing robustly in the main gate.
The three-storied pagoda, which is registered as Important Cultural Properties, is said to have been constructed by Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s craftsmen overnight.
In one of the halls of this temple is the largest image of Enma Daiou in all of Japan. Enma judges the souls of the newly dead and sends them on to their next location. He keeps a great scroll in which he records all of the good and evil deeds of each person to use as evidence against them when their time of judgment comes. Although Enma seems terrifying, at heart, he is a kind and compassionate god, and he truly wishes to save each soul from damnation.
The main image of worship in the main prayer hall is the eleven-faced Kannon Bodhisattva. Kannon is a being who has reached enlightenment but has prolonged entering into nirvana to stay behind and guide everyone who suffers in this world to reach enlightenment.
It is said that the "Uchide no Kozuchi, or large magic hammer, that is enshrined at the temple was given to Emperor Shomu by the dragon god in a dream. These large mallets are often seen as a symbol of wealth in Japanese folklore. By praying with them, the worshipers hope to have good luck, giving this temple the nickname Takaradera, or "Treasure Temple".
In the Treasure Hall, there is a Takarabune, or "Treasure Ship", which is a mythical ship piloted through the heavens by the Seven Lucky Gods during the first three days of the New Year.
Every year on the third saturday in April, a large festival called "Oni Kusube" is held to smoke out bad demons and eliminate disasters. The festival ends with the Fukumochi ceremony, which is said to grant health, wisdom, and wealth.
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