Tanjō-ji, Buddhist temple in Kamogawa, Japan
Tanjō-ji is a Buddhist temple in Kamogawa, Japan, located beside the coast and comprising several buildings with curved roofs and red-lacquered wooden pillars. The Nio Gate at the entrance is tall enough to tower over the entire grounds, while the founder's hall and treasure hall form smaller structures among tidy courtyards.
The temple was founded in 1276 and venerated Nichiren, a Buddhist teacher born in this area, from the start. Two severe earthquakes forced the monks to relocate the grounds twice, until they chose the current site close to the water.
The name of the temple means "place of birth" and refers to Buddhist teacher Nichiren, who was born nearby in the 13th century. Local residents visit the temple to pray for safe childbirth and to attend ceremonies that honor the teacher's connection to the sea.
The main buildings are open to walk through without charge, while the treasure hall requires a small fee to enter. Visitors can sign up for sutra copying rituals held in a separate room beside the founder's hall.
Wooden statues of two warriors guard the large entrance gate and are believed to ward off evil spirits. On a festival day in August, worshippers float lanterns into the sea to recall the bond between the temple and the ocean.
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