妙高寺, 小千谷市にある寺院
Myoukou-ji is a Buddhist temple in Ojiya situated on a hill overlooking the Nagara River. The main buildings were reconstructed after a major fire in the 1920s, while the wooden statue of Aizen Myoo was preserved and is now designated as a cultural treasure by the government.
The temple was founded in 1265 under the patronage of a local castle lord who supported devotion to Aizen Myoo. In 1594, it was reformed by a Zen school and received government backing during the Edo period.
The temple is dedicated to Aizen Myoo, a deity worshipped by those seeking blessings in matters of the heart and connection. On the 26th of each month, the statue is displayed for visitors, drawing local people and pilgrims who come to pray and make their wishes.
The temple sits away from busy streets in a quiet area, making it ideal for a peaceful visit. The surroundings invite walking through old sites and green spaces that complete the experience of stillness.
According to local legend, a monk carrying the Aizen Myoo statue felt it suddenly grow heavy and could not move forward, believing the deity wanted to be worshipped at this exact spot. This story explains why the temple was built here on the hill and remains part of the community's oral tradition.
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