Tanjō-ji, Buddhist temple in Kumenan, Japan.
Tanjō-ji is a Buddhist temple in Kumenan with multiple buildings, including the Amida Hall, Goeika-do, and a treasure house holding historical objects from the Pure Land tradition. The complex preserves artifacts that document the spiritual history of this location.
The temple was founded in 1193 by Kumagai Naozane and is connected to the birth of the monk Honen, who later established the Jodo-shu branch of Pure Land Buddhism in Japan. This connection made it a center for spreading these teachings throughout the country.
The temple hosts an annual April ritual called Nijugo Bosatsu Renkyo, where participants dressed in historical Genroku-period garments perform purification ceremonies. Visitors can observe this continuing tradition, which shows how the place remains important to believers today.
The temple can be reached about 15 minutes on foot from JR Tanjo-ji Station or by car in about 20 minutes from the Insho exit of the Chugoku Expressway. It helps to explore the area ahead of time to choose the best access for your visit.
An ancient ginkgo tree more than 850 years old grows on the temple grounds, said to have been planted by Honen himself during the temple's early days. This old tree is a striking feature of the place and reminds visitors of the long history that lives on here.
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