観音院, Buddhist temple in Japan
Kannon-in is a Buddhist temple in Kiryū, established in 1644 and dedicated to the statue of Kannon Bodhisattva. The grounds contain several small halls and statues of other Buddhist figures, set among trees and carefully maintained gardens.
The temple was founded in 1644, when Iwasaki Hikoemon, a local textile merchant, became its patron and Shūga served as founding abbot. It belongs to the Shingon-shū Buzan-ha school, and its full name is Suwazan Kannon-in Nōman-ji. A 涅槃図 (Nehan-zu, Buddha's parinirvana painting) is designated an important cultural property of Kiryū.
Locals call the temple Nikkō Jizōson, after the Jizō hall in its grounds. On the 24th of each month, the temple's enni day, stalls line the approach path and crowds of worshippers come to pay their respects.
The temple stands in Kiryū's Higashi 2-chōme district. The 24th of each month is the day of the Jizō Bodhisattva's enni, when stalls line the approach path and many worshippers come; visit then for the market, or on other days for a quieter visit.
The temple's full name is Suwazan Kannon-in Nōman-ji, though it is commonly called Nikkō Jizōson. Its main image is the Shō Kannon Bosatsu, and the precinct also holds halls and statues for Fudōson, Benzaiten, Binzuru-son, Konsei Daimyōjin and Negishi Daimyōjin. A 1644 nehan-zu painting is a Kiryū City Important Cultural Property.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 94,348 contributors worldwide.