Myo'on-Ji Buddhist Temple

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MYO'ON-JI BUDDHIST TEMPLE

1-4-31 Nishi Hisakatacho
Kiryu, Gunma
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Myo'on-Ji is a Shingon Sect Buddhist temple. It is said that this was the first reinforced concrete sctructure built in the area in 1591. Because of a fire, old records were lost and so little is known about the temple's early history. However, investigation from a stone saved from the fire confirmed that the temple dates back over 400 years. The "Sazae-Do" (temple building) was known all over Japan in former days, however, this, too was destroyed in the fire.

This temple is listed as the Thirty-First Sacred Location of the Bodhisattva god, Kannon, in easten Joshu (present day Gunma area) and it is the Second Sacred Location for Jurojin, one of the Seven Deities of Good Fortune

Of particular interest is the Buddhist stone triad representing Fudo Myo'o, a warlike king of wisdom representing the luminescent wisdom of Buddha. This can be found in front of the temple. The stone basin carved by the Shinshu Koen school located at the entrance to the cemetery is also noteworthy. This basin was donated by well-known businessmen from Kiryu's textile past - Bunzaemon Kakiage, Zenemon Tamagami and Kishiemon Saba.

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