Temple 87, Nagao-ji
Temple 87, Nagao-ji
Nagao-ji is temple No. 87 on the Shikoku pilgrimage or Henro. It stands in the suburbs of Takamatsu city and is the penultimate temple that pilgrims visit before completing their circuit of Shikoku.
What to see
The Niō Gate was built in 1670 and is known for its unusual construction method of using three wooden ridge poles. It stands under the shade of a great camphor tree. Inside the gate is a large, sandy plaza dotted with pine trees.
The main hall is in front of the Niō Gate and the Daishi Hall is to the right of the main hall. The temple office is to the left of the main hall. The mound topped with a stone statue holds the hair of Shizuka Gozen, the lover of Minamoto Yoshitsune which she shaved off when she became a nun here. The object that looks like a stone lantern next to it is a pre-war street radio, one of only three remaining in Shikoku.
Also in the grounds are a Goma Hall, a Yakushi Hall, and a Shintō shrine.
History
There are several legends about who founded the temple, but it was rebuilt by the Ikoma clan during the Keichō period (1596 – 1615) and called Nagao Kannon-ji Temple. In 1681, the feudal lord Matsudaira Yoritsune donated a pagoda to the temple, and in the following two years, the temple was designated as one of the seven Sanuki Kannon temples and converted from the Shingon to the Tendai sect. In 1693, the temple was given a domain and renamed Kannon-in Nagao-ji.
Legends
According to temple legend, the temple was founded in 739 when Gyōki had a dream about a willow tree in the area and carved a statue from the tree. A book published in 1689 says Nagao-ji was founded by Prince Shōtoku.
Legend has it that Kūkai visited before and after travelling to Tang China.
Information
Name in Japanese: 長尾寺
Pronunciation: nagao-ji
Address: 653 Nagaonishi, Sanuki, Kagawa 769-2302
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