永正寺, Buddhist temple in Konan, Japan
Eisho-ji is a Rinzai-shu Myoshin-ji sect temple in Takaya-cho Nakayashiki, Konan, Aichi Prefecture, with the mountain name Takaya-zan and Shakyamuni as its principal image. Its main hall was rebuilt in 1893 after the 1891 Nōbi earthquake, and its mountain gate was built in 2004. The grounds also hold a bell tower from 1916, a Kōbō-dō from 1999, and the Satoshi no Daitō from 1985.
Founded in 1504 by Sugiyama Mondo as a private Buddha hall called Takaya-an, the temple was opened by the Zen master Dokushu Kansai, who resided there until 1509. It received its current mountain name and temple name in 1727. Fires in 1805 and 1833 destroyed most buildings; the main hall was rebuilt in 1893 after the 1891 Nōbi earthquake.
The temple's name comes from the Eishō era (1504–1521), when it was founded. Its annual events include the Daihannya prayer on 9 January, a Healing Flower Day on 8 April, a reception for Kōbō Daishi on the fourth Saturday of April, the Segaki rite on 17 August, a Higan Segaki rite at the autumn equinox, and the New Year's Eve bell on 31 December.
The temple sits about 7 minutes by car from Konan Station on the Meitetsu Inuyama Line, making it fairly easy to reach. Walking from the City Gymnasium bus stop takes roughly 10 minutes if you prefer to explore the neighborhood on foot.
The temple crest uses the kiku-sui motif of the Sugiyama family, a chrysanthemum over water, which points to the site's origin as the family's private Buddha hall. The main image, a wooden Shakyamuni Buddha, was carried from Kyoto on the back of the parishioner Chōuemon after the 1833 fire.
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