Chōju-ji Temple

Overview

Chōju-ji Temple is a Tendai Buddhist temple located in Higashidera, Konan City, Shiga Prefecture. Its mountain name is Assei-zan, and its principal deity is Jizō Bosatsu. While historical records are scarce regarding its founding, temple tradition holds that during the Tenpyō period (729-749 AD) of the Nara period, Emperor Shōmu prayed to Ryōben for a child. A princess (later Empress Kōken) was subsequently born. Ryōben, residing on Mount Assei, which also happened to be the inauspicious direction (kimon) of Shigaraki Palace, is said to have built a temple here to ward off evil and pray for the princess's longevity. This temple, composed of seven halls and 24 sub-temples, was named Chōju-ji (Longevity Temple), and the Jizō Bosatsu statue dedicated to ensuring safe childbirth, which was crafted by Gyōki, was enshrined as the principal image. Later, Hakusan Shrine was established in the southern part of the temple grounds as a tutelary shrine. The main hall burned down during the Jōgan period (859-877 AD) of the Heian period but was quickly rebuilt. Subsequently, it developed into a significant Tendai Buddhist center known as 'Assei-zan Gosenbō' (Assei Mountain, Five Thousand Temples). During the Kamakura period, Minamoto no Yoritomo, and during the Muromachi period, the Ashikaga shogunate, are said to have built and renovated various halls, using the temple as a place of prayer. Like Jōraku-ji Temple, Chōju-ji Temple once possessed a three-storied pagoda, which Oda Nobunaga later moved to Sōken-ji Temple in Azuchi Castle, where it remains as an Important Cultural Property. The temple gate was relocated to Rentai-ji Temple (now a ruined temple) in Kurita County (present-day Ritō City), but it no longer exists. During the Meiji period's separation of Shinto and Buddhism (Shinbutsu Bunri), Hakusan Shrine became independent from the temple. Chōju-ji Temple boasts numerous historically significant structures, including the National Treasure Main Hall and the Important Cultural Property Bentendo Hall. The temple grounds are lush and green, offering beautiful scenery throughout the year, especially during autumn when the leaves turn fiery red and yellow, captivating visitors. Take a stroll through the tranquil grounds and feel the passage of time.