History
Foundation and Founding Patron
Horakuji Temple was founded in 1178 by Taira no Shigemori, the eldest son of Taira no Kiyomori, head of the Taira clan.
Shigemori established the temple to pray for the souls of those who had died in the Hogen and Heiji Rebellions, regardless of which side they had fought for. He also intended to enshrine the Nyoirin Kannon statue that had been kept as the personal Buddhist image of Minamoto no Tametomo.
The Origin of the Name “Shikonzan”
The mountain name Shikonzan is associated with a traditional story concerning Taira no Shigemori. He is said to have offered 3,000 ryō of gold to the Song-dynasty Zen master Buddha Illuminating the Yuwang Mountain in order to establish a religious connection with him.
According to the tradition, the master recognized Shigemori’s devotion to Buddhism and presented him with two sacred Buddhist relics made of purple-gold material that had been passed down from Yuwang Mountain.
Destruction by Oda Nobunaga and Reconstruction
In 1571, the temple’s buildings were destroyed by fire during an invasion led by Oda Nobunaga.
Partial reconstruction began in the early Edo period, followed by major restoration in 1711. Some of the surviving buildings are said to have been relocated from the residences of the Oda family of the Yamato-Matsuyama Domain.
Highlights of the Temple Grounds
Main Hall
The Main Hall enshrines several important Buddhist figures, including Fudo Myoo, Shaka Nyorai, Nyoirin Kannon, Juichimen Kannon, Jizo Bosatsu, and Kishimojin.
Three-Story Pagoda
The temple’s three-story pagoda was constructed in 1996 as the “Heisei Three-Story Treasure Pagoda.”
The principal image is Dainichi Nyorai of the Diamond Realm, accompanied by statues of Fudo Myoo and Aizen Myoo. The pagoda stands approximately 23 meters high.
Kosaka Kisekki Memorial Museum
The Kosaka Kisekki Memorial Museum houses works by the calligrapher Kosaka Kisekki, who received the Japan Art Academy’s Imperial Gift Prize.
Kosaka established his own distinctive calligraphic style, known as the “Kisekki style,” and approximately 400 of his works are exhibited at the museum. The collection also includes numerous examples of Buddhist art.
Other Highlights
Daishi Hall: Enshrines Kobo Daishi and pictorial representations of the Eight Patriarchs of Shingon Buddhism.
Kannon Hall: Contains stone monuments representing the principal Buddhist images of the 88-temple pilgrimage route in Shikoku.
Mizukake Fudo-son: A sacred statue of Fudo Myoo where worshippers pour water over the statue while praying.
Bell Tower: A traditional bell tower standing within the temple grounds.
Cultural Properties
Important Cultural Property
Fudo Myoo and Two Attendants, Colored Silk Painting: This artwork is believed to have been created in the early Kamakura period and is currently entrusted to the Osaka City Museum of Fine Arts.
Osaka Prefectural Tangible Cultural Property
Bronze Standing Statue of Zao Gongen: A statue dating from the Heian period, designated as an Osaka Prefectural Tangible Cultural Property in 1982.
Natural Monument
The Horakuji Camphor Tree is traditionally said to be approximately 800 years old. This magnificent tree has a trunk circumference of approximately 8.0 meters and stands about 26.0 meters tall.
It was designated as a Natural Monument in 1981.
Annual Events
January 1–3: New Year’s visit and Saidan Kissho Goma Fire Ritual.
January 28: Tanabe Fudo-son Grand Festival.
February 1–7: Setsubun Festival and Yakuyoke Hoshi Festival for protection from misfortune.
March: Spring Higan Buddhist memorial observances.
August 15: Urabon Festival.
December 31: New Year’s Eve Bell-Ringing Ceremony.
Monthly Events
Kobo Daishi Festival: Held on the 21st of every month, featuring sutra copying, Buddhist services, and Dharma talks.
Tanabe Fudo-son Festival: Held on the 28th of every month, featuring a goma fire ritual dedicated to Fudo Myoo.
Kusunoki Library: A children’s library is opened every Saturday, providing a place for children to read and learn.
Pilgrimage and Sacred Sites
Kinki 36 Fudo Myoo Pilgrimage: No. 3 temple.
Osaka 13 Buddhist Sites Pilgrimage: No. 1 temple.
88 Temples of Settsu Province: No. 40 temple.
Shinbutsu Reijo Pilgrimage Route: No. 47 temple.
Access to Horakuji Temple
Address: 1-18-30 Yamasaka, Higashisumiyoshi Ward, Osaka City, Osaka.
The temple is just a short walk from both Minami-Tanabe Station on the JR Hanwa Line and Tanabe Station on the Osaka Metro Tanimachi Line.