History and Religious Significance
Jizō-ji’s full name is Mujinzan Sōgon-in. According to temple tradition, it was founded in 821 at the imperial request of Emperor Saga by Kūkai, the Buddhist monk also known as Kōbō Daishi, who established the Shingon school of Buddhism in Japan.
Kūkai is said to have carved an image of Shōgun Jizō Bosatsu and enshrined it as the temple’s principal deity. Later, during the reign of Emperor Uda, the monk Jōkan carved an image of Enmei Jizō Bosatsu from sacred timber and placed the original Shōgun Jizō inside it. The temple subsequently became a place of devotion for warriors, including, according to tradition, the famous military commander Minamoto no Yoshitsune.
In its heyday, the temple complex was said to have included 26 subsidiary temples and more than 300 affiliated temples. However, it was destroyed by fire in 1582 during the military campaigns of Chōsokabe Motochika. Jizō-ji was later rebuilt under the patronage of the Hachisuka clan, the lords of the Tokushima Domain during the Edo period (1603–1868).
The temple’s traditional pilgrimage verse is:
“Great Jizō, guide of beings through the six realms of existence, please lead us in this life and in the life beyond.”
Exploring the Temple Grounds
Approach and Main Gate
The approach to the temple begins at a stone-pillared entrance bearing the inscription “Fukyo Kunshu Nyū Sanmon,” meaning that pungent foods and alcoholic drinks are not permitted beyond the temple gate. Cherry trees and pine trees line the approach, creating an attractive setting that changes with the seasons.
The main gate, known as the Nitenmon, is a single-story structure with statues of two guardian deities standing on either side. Passing through this gate marks the entrance to the temple’s sacred grounds.
Main Hall
The main hall houses a normally concealed statue of Jizō Bosatsu depicted in a seated, half-lotus position. In front of it is the image of Shōgun Jizō Bosatsu, traditionally believed to be enshrined within the principal statue. As the fifth temple on the Shikoku pilgrimage, the hall welcomes pilgrims who come to pray and pay their respects.
Daishi Hall
The Daishi Hall is dedicated to Kūkai, whose statue is enshrined inside. Look up to admire the ceiling paintings depicting celestial maidens dancing, which add a graceful artistic element to the devotional atmosphere.
Fudō Hall and Hakkakudō Hall
Fudō Hall houses a standing statue of Fudō Myōō, a powerful Buddhist wisdom king. Beside it are an image of Nyoirin Kannon, associated with the 24th temple on the Awa Saigoku pilgrimage, and an eight-armed statue of Benzaiten, a Buddhist deity associated with wisdom, the arts, and good fortune. The hall is connected to the main hall, and Ebisu Hall stands to its left.
Nearby, Hakkakudō Hall, an octagonal building, contains a golden standing statue of Kannon, the Bodhisattva of Compassion. Its radiant appearance contributes to the serene, sacred atmosphere of the grounds.
Mizuko Jizō and the Great Ginkgo Tree
Near the entrance to the temple’s living quarters stands Mizuko Jizō, a statue dedicated to the souls of children who died before or shortly after birth. A nearby suikinkutsu—a traditional water-feature that produces delicate, bell-like tones as water drips into a buried vessel—offers a quiet place for reflection.
One of the most striking natural features of the temple is the towering Tarachine Great Ginkgo, believed to be more than 800 years old. Its immense trunk and spreading branches give visitors a powerful sense of the passage of time and the enduring presence of nature within the temple grounds.
Statues and Inscribed Monuments
A statue of Kūkai as a traveling ascetic stands on the grounds. Stories about his life and achievements are depicted on its pedestal. Along the path from behind the main hall toward the temple’s inner sanctuary, visitors can also find four monuments inscribed with poems and verses relating to pilgrimage and prayers for ancestors.
Okunoin: The Five Hundred Arhats Hall
North of the main temple stands the Five Hundred Arhats Hall, part of Jizō-ji’s inner sanctuary, or Okunoin. It was established in 1775 by two monk brothers, Jitsumon and Jitsumyō. The hall is known for its collection of wooden statues representing arhats—disciples of the Buddha who have attained spiritual enlightenment. Such a collection is unusual in Japan, and local people affectionately refer to the figures as “Rakan-san.”
The original building was destroyed by fire in 1915 and rebuilt in 1922. Although the collection was intended to represent five hundred figures, approximately 200 statues remain today.
The surrounding corridor connects three halls: Shakadō, which enshrines a seated statue of Shakyamuni Buddha; Daishidō, dedicated to Kūkai; and Mirokudō, which houses a seated statue of Miroku Bosatsu, the future Buddha. Life-sized statues of arhats line the corridor, creating a memorable setting for contemplation.
Cultural Heritage and Historic Designations
On October 16, 2019, approximately 3.6 hectares of the Jizō-ji grounds were designated a National Historic Site as part of the Awa Pilgrimage Route. This designation recognizes the area’s importance as part of the historic pilgrimage landscape of Shikoku.
Five buildings—the main hall, Fudō Hall, Daishi Hall, sutra repository, and Five Hundred Arhats Hall—were registered as Tangible Cultural Properties of Japan on January 26, 2011. Together, they preserve important elements of the temple’s architectural and religious history.
Annual Ceremony
A major goma fire ritual is held on the first Sunday of March each year. During this Buddhist ceremony, prayers are offered through sacred fire, attracting worshippers and visitors who come to take part in the temple’s religious traditions.
Access to Jizō-ji Temple
By train: The temple is approximately 3.4 km from Itano Station on the JR Kōtoku Line.
By bus: Get off at the Rakan bus stop on the Tokushima Bus Kajiya-bar a Line or Ishii-Kamiita Line. The temple is approximately 300 m away.
By car: From Prefectural Route 34, head toward the Rakan intersection. The temple is approximately 4.5 km from Itano Interchange, which serves the Kobe-Awaji-Naruto Expressway and Takamatsu Expressway.