Awakokubun-ji, Buddhist temple in Tokushima, Japan
Awakokubun-ji is a Buddhist temple and reijō, one of the 88 sacred sites of the Shikoku Pilgrimage, located in Tokushima Prefecture on Shikoku island. The grounds include a wooden main hall with curved roofs, a bell tower, and a paved courtyard lined with old trees.
The temple was founded in 741 by order of Emperor Shōmu as part of a network of provincial temples built across Japan to strengthen central rule. It was destroyed and rebuilt several times over the centuries, and the current main hall dates from the early 19th century.
Awakokubun-ji is the 15th stop on the Shikoku Pilgrimage, a route that links 88 temples across the island, and pilgrims in white robes and straw hats pass through regularly. On the grounds, you can see incense burners, stacked wooden prayer tablets, and small offerings left by those making the journey.
The temple is accessible by bus from Tokushima city, with a stop close to the entrance. Visiting in the morning gives you a better chance of seeing pilgrims at prayer and makes it easier to move around the grounds without crowds.
The statue of Yakushi Nyorai kept here is said to have been carved by the monk Gyōki, who was personally involved in establishing Emperor Shōmu's temple network. This wooden figure is considered one of the oldest surviving examples of early Japanese Buddhist sculpture.
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