The name of the temple is “Ryugakuzan” and the main deity of the temple is Sho-Kannon Bosatsu (Bodhisattva of Mercy). The temple is popularly known as “Mizuma Kannon.
It is also the fourth temple of the New Saigoku Sanjusanjo, which, together with its surroundings, has been selected as one of the most spectacular natural sites in Osaka.
The temple is said to have been opened by Gyoki at the behest of Emperor Shomu during the Tempyo period (729-749).
The name of the temple comes from the geographical feature “Mizuma” where the Chikagi River flows from Mt. Katsuragi and its tributary, the Nukitani River, meet.
At its peak, it was a large temple with seven halls and more than 130 priests. However, it was destroyed by fire in 1585 by Toyotomi Hideyoshi.
The present main hall was rebuilt in 1811. The temple’s principal deity, the Kannon (Goddess of Mercy), is highly devout and revered by many people.
The traditional event “Senbontsuki” (pounding of a thousand rice cakes) has been held since the temple’s foundation, in which people holding long sticks pound rice cakes around a mortar.
According to legend, the event began when Gyoki was invited by 16 children (incarnations of Kannon) to give him a statue of Kannon, and when Emperors Shomu and Komyo visited the temple, he pounded rice cakes with a stick to the accompaniment of singing and offered them to the principal image.
Free of charge
From Kaizuka Station on the Nankai Railway Main Line, transfer to the Mizuma Railway and get off at the last stop, Mizuma Station. 10-minute walk from the station.