Must-see Places

Hozenji (Hozen temple)

Hozenji (Hozen temple) is a temple of Nichiren Buddhism, and its official name is "Shunjizanmitsuharuhozenji". It enshrines　"Jurojin (the god of longevity)", which is one of Shichifukujin (seven deities of good luck), and keeps "statue of Shichimenmeishin", which is designated as a tangible cultural property, intact.

Shicimenmeishin is the goddess living in Mt. Shichimen in Yamanashi prefecture. It is the local diety of Kuon temple, the head temple of Nichiren Buddhism. "Statue of Shicimenmeishin" wears Chinese style costume and crown with its left hand holding flame wish fullfilling stone and right hand holding a key. The key means that it saves people by enlightening them by true teachings of Buddha. The stone is the gift to Buddaha that promises us the attainment of nirvana (a state of enlightment). It is said to have been made by chuseiinnichimamorijojin in Suruga, and was moved to Edo between 1658 to 1660. It was the first Shichimenmeijin to be worshiped in Edo.

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