Sōji-ji, Buddhist temple in Ibaraki, Japan
Sōji-ji is a Buddhist temple in Ibaraki Prefecture, about 5 minutes on foot from Sojiji Station. The main hall houses a wooden statue of Senju Kannon with dragon and rain deities at its base.
Fujiwara no Yamakage founded this place in 879 after a turtle reportedly saved him from drowning. Following destruction in the 16th century, Toyotomi Hideyori rebuilt the temple in 1603.
Every April 18th, monks perform the Yamagake ceremony here, demonstrating ritual knife skills. This cooking ceremony dates back to the time of the founder and belongs to the regular annual calendar of the temple.
The temple grounds open daily at 6 in the morning and close at 5 in the evening. The stamp office is available between 8 and 5 and is only a few minutes on foot from the station.
The founding legend tells of a turtle that rescued the future founder from the water. Out of gratitude for this rescue, the temple with the thousand-armed Kannon figure came into being here.
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