Free guides to Japan

There are many temples and shrines for marriage in Japan. Perhaps the most famous one is Izumo Shrine in Shimane, in the western part of Japan. But Wakamatsu Kannon, which is located in Tendo City of Yamagata Prefecture, is also famous for matchmaking.

It is said that the temple was founded during the Nara period, about 1300 years ago by the high priest Gyoki. According to legend, while Gyoki was wandering in the eastern area of Japan, he heard the sound of a bell. He followed the sound, climbed a mountain and perceived Kannon Bodhisattva. He founded a temple there; it is the origin of Wakamatsu Kannon.

The temple’s official name is Reiryu-zan Jakusho-ji Temple but the local people call it “Wakamatsu Kannon” or “Wakamatsu-sama”. Wakamatsu Kannon is believed to have strong miracle power and is mentioned in Hanagasa Ondo, a song for the Hanagasa Matsuri or Flower Hat Festival. Wakamatsu Kannon is celebrated in the song,”Blessing is Wakamatsu-sama”. Furthermore, as Kannon Bodhisattva is the Goddess of Mercy, Wakamatsu Kannon helps not only those who want to get married but also those who crave good health, academic achievement and business prosperity, etc. Many people visit the temple, asking for good luck.

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After passing through the Nio-mon Gate, the number of cedar trees lessened and the landscape widened. I saw many caves and odd figured rocks. I thought these caves and rocks made Mt. Houju-san special, a place leading to the different world.

Godai-do Hall is the most popular building of Yamadera. It is an observation deck that is built on the cliff, commanding a fine view. I enjoyed the splendid scenery of the mountain and the village below. Some guidebooks say there are statues of Myo-o, guardian of Buddhism in Godai-do Hall but I did not see any statues there. Instead, I saw many senjafuda or pilgrim’s stickers on the wall.

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I paid 300 yen at San-mon Gate and started my ascent. Soon after that, a statue with horrible face caught my eye. It was the statue of Datsueba. Datsueba is a hag who is believed to be on the bank of the Sanzu River, which lies between this world and the next. She strips the dead people of their clothes. In the old days, pilgrimages changed their clothes here and offered these clothes to the statue of Datsueba and then climbed the mountain in new garments.

The stone steps make a winding path. Surrounded by ancient Japanese cedar trees, the path was rather dim. As I climbed the steps, I saw small stone statues, lanterns and carvings on the rocks here and there. These objects and the shade of the trees made a solemn atmosphere and reminded me that Mt. Houju-san had been a sacred place, known as the mountain where the souls of the dead gather, the boundary between this world and the next.

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Yamadera is an old temple in Yamagata Prefecture, Japan. The temple’s official name is Risshaku-ji Temple but Yamadera is more familiar for many Japanese. Yamadera means “mountain temple”. About 40 temple facilities are scattered on the slope of Mt. Houju-san, 1015 stone steps continue from the foot to the top of the mountain and the whole mountain is the precincts of the temple. The mountain and the buildings make the scenery looks like an ink painting which is very beautiful and attracts many visitors. Yamadera exactly represents what it is.

The temple starts with Kompon Chudo, the main hall. It is said that the temple was founded in 860, during the Heian Era by a high priest Ennin Jikaku-Daishi and the original main hall was built then. Over history, the hall was destroyed and rebuilt. The current building was made in 1356, in the Muromachi Period.

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