大智院, Buddhist temple in Chita, Japan
Daichiin is a Buddhist temple located in Chita that contains several remarkable features on its grounds. The temple houses a camphor tree over 1,000 years old and features a statue of Kobo Daishi wearing glasses.
The temple was founded by Prince Shotoku, making it one of the oldest in the region. In 1692 it received a new mountain designation, changing from Yanagiryu-san to Kinsho-san, and later became a spiritual sanctuary for the Saji clan.
The temple hosts yearly ceremonies on February 3rd where visitors participate in traditional bean-throwing rituals and receive blessed beans along with fortune boxes. These gatherings draw many people seeking blessings for the year ahead.
The temple is about 20 minutes on foot from Ono-machi Station or accessible by Aiai Bus from Shinmaiko Station to the Minami-Kasuya-Honmachi stop. The grounds are easy to navigate and well marked for visitors.
The most distinctive feature is a statue of Kobo Daishi wearing glasses, connected to a local legend about restoring someone's sight to the blind. The statue's own left eye has become damaged over time.
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