Sect: Shingon Buddhism Omuro School
Principal Deity: Senju Kannon (Thousand-Armed Kannon)
Founded: Around 718
Goeika (Sacred Chant): “Clear as day, look upon the shining light of harvest,
On the golden mountain of the twin islands.“
Emanation Form: Iwato Kannon (Kannon of the Cave)
This form of Kannon is depicted seated with perfect posture in a cave, forming the meditation mudra. The Kannon Sutra says, “When confronted by venomous creatures like snakes or scorpions, if one recites the name of Kannon, the creatures will turn away and depart.”
○ History & Origins
In the second year of Yoro (718), a hunter named Saku Uemon, pursuing a deer, climbed this mountain. As he aimed his bow, the mountain trembled and shone brightly. The deer vanished, and the rock beneath where it stood split, revealing statues of Kannon and Jizo, emitting golden light. Witnessing this miraculous event, Saku Uemon renounced his life of hunting and entered the Buddhist path. He named the temple Shussekiji, enshrining the Kannon that emerged from the earth.
When Kobo Daishi visited, he praised the temple as “the golden mountain, unmatched in the three countries.” Fearing the Buddha statues would be misused in the future, they were sealed in a stone chamber as hidden images, and ritual fire offerings were performed. Locally, the temple is affectionately called “Hako-nuke Kannon” or “Izushi-san.”
○ Message from the head priest
At 812 meters above sea level, winters are snowy, and summers can be hot for a retreat. Even those who drive here often say it feels like a training journey. The path to enlightenment is not always easy, so please take care when visiting.
○ Access
Address: 1 Toyoshimo Otsu, Ozu, Ehime, 799-3462, Japan
Phone Number: 0883-35-2784
Large Buses: Permitted (up to 11 meters)
Microbuses: Permitted