History
Founding of the mountain -- History of Enjoji Temple
The temple was founded in the first year of the Reiki period (715),during the reign of Emperor Gensho (The Story of the Empress), the 44th (nin-nou) Emperor of Japan (the second generation of the Nara Dynasty). It was founded by Gyoki Bodhisattva as Shohoji on the summit of Mt. Hongu. The principal image is the Senju Sengan (thousand armed,thousand eyes) Kannon.
Main Hall
Hongusan is a mountain 583m above sea level, located approximately 4km east of the current Enjoji Temple.
According to the enkisho (the history book of the temple's origin), there have been frequent occurrences of miracles, and visions of Kanzeon since the mountain was opened, and it has become a dojo (training place) of faith for both government and people, for both monk and layperson,and for both noble and lowly alike, and during the reign of the 46th Emperor Koken, it was added as one of the 48 chokugan (imperial requested) temples of Bizen by Ho-on Daishi.
Since then, the 80th Emperor Takakura and other members of the imperial family have donated many manors, money, etc., and it is said that the temple was a spiritual temple with more than 16 monks' temples lined up tiled roofs, unlike any other in the county.
Around 715
708 Wado Kaichin was created
710 Heijo capital relocation
Compilation of 712 and 720 Kojiki and Nihon Shoki (story of chronicles)
716 Kibi (ShimotsuMichi) Makibi, monk Genpo and others enter Tang Dynasty
733 Origin of Todaiji Temple
747: Start of casting of the Great Buddha
766 Hirono (later Dengyo Daishi Saicho) was born.生
Principal image: Senju Kannon statue
relocation
In 1282, during the middle of the Kamakura period, there was a large fire that destroyed the entire hall on the mountain. The year after the great fire, it was relocated to its current location and rebuilt, and renamed Enjoji Temple. At that time, the chief priest, Renshin hoin, was highly praised for his virtue and was able to restore the temple that were superior to the old version, with 14 temples in the mountain and 6 branch temples.
Jizo-in
TTacchu (temples in the mountain)- Torakobō, Nakanobo, Saizobo, Jissobo, Kitanobo, Hatanobo, Narunobo, Sankyobo, Meiseibo, Fukuzobo, Matsumotobo, and other 2 bo. Branch temples: Senkoji Temple in Sugitani Village, Aokibo Temple in Ibara Village, Gonjobo Temple in Ueda Village, Chikyobo Temple in Tosue Village, Gyokusenji Temple in Eyomi Village, and Nakayuki in Ueda Village. Tacchu tour is a walking course in Enjo Furusato Village. The map ishere. It is estimated that the area within the mountain precincts at that time was about 5 to 6 times larger than it is now, but as the area has since risen and fallen, many of the temples have disappeared, and now only two temples ,Io-in (Matsumoto-bo) and Jizo-in (Fukuzo-in) remain.
Io-in
Chinju shrine's and Hokyoin stone pagoda
Chinjudaibaten was also enshrined around this time, and it has been revered by people from nearby areas, and continues to be visited by people from far and near the prefecture, including Bizen, Bicchu, and Mimasaka.
The Hokyoin stone pagoda erected at Kitanobo has the inscription "Enbun 2nd Year, Monk Renyu" and has been designated as an important art object of Okayama Prefecture.
Chinju Daiba Shrine Goma-do
Relationship with the Ikeda clan
During the Tokugawa period, the temple was granted 20 koku of land each year by the Bizen feudal lord, Ikeda Kō, and was revered as a family temple for the chief retainer Hiki clan (who had a jinya in Kanagawa), with donated stone lanterns and fixtures with bellflower crests. A few items still exist. It is also said that when the head priest went out, he was allowed to have a so-called daimyo procession with 32 people.
Great Fire of Tempo
The great fire that occurred in 1833, during the final days of the Tokugawa era, is still remembered by the local elders. The fire that started in a private house in a corner of Monzen-cho was fanned by the wind and turned into a huge fire, destroying the entire town and the temple lost everything once again. Most of the existing hall was rebuilt after that, and many of the treasures and fixtures are said to have been destroyed by fire at this time, and some were lost when it fell into disrepair in later years. Although it is an ancient temple, it is regrettable that no architecture or treasures worthy of it exist.
Recent years
The scars of the Second World War are now gradually disappearing with the progress of a new peaceful society.The Great Temple Bell was recast in 1960 with the deep faith and great cooperation of the parishioners and local residents. In addition, in 1994, on the occasion of open door memorial service of principal image, all halls were completely renovated, and renewed all appearances. For eternal repose of spirits of the successive generations of ancestors of each family, as well as both related and unrelated people, for the advancement of world eternal peace, which is the long-cherished desire of all humankind, and for the happiness of all the believers, Enjoji Temple is on the verge of further development as a dojo for Tendai Shohosen-ryu.