Yashima-ji, the 84th temple
My trekking along the Ohenrosan pilgrimage on Japan’s Shikoku island may never end. And if it does, I will only have to start again, as my lovely guide, Etsuko, has done already a few times.
I must say that I have been cheating. During most of my trekking time, the weather has been stinking hot. So Etsuko has been driving me around, allowing us to do some short walks here and there.
Most of the 88 temples on the pilgrimage are of interest. Each has its own history. But for an intrepid hiker like me the natural settings can be wonderful.
Yashima-ji is distinctive in that it is perched on a hill with great views over the Inland Sea and back to Takamatsu from the northern side of the plateau where there is also the reconstructed remains of an early Asuka and Nara Period fortress.
Yashima-ji is believed to have been founded by the Chinese monk, Ganjin in 754 during the Nara Period of Japanese history. Later the temple was converted to Shingon Buddhism by Kobo Daishi in 815 and moved to its present location on the south side of the Yashima plateau. Kobo Daishi is also believed to have carved a Thousand Armed Kannon (Avalokiteshvara) to be the main image of the temple.
Yashima-ji Temple is also associated with the Battle of Yashima which was fought between the Minamoto and Taira clans in 1185. The Taira were defeated in the naval battle and, finally and conclusively, again at Dan-no-ura, a month later, off the coast of Shimonoseki.
The distinctive Treasure House at Yashima-ji contains relics of the battle as well as priceless temple treasures such byobu folding screens, calligraphy scrolls and Buddhist images.
The Main Hall of Yashima-ji still stands after its construction during the Kamakura era at the beginning of the 14th century and is classified as an Important Cultural Property. The bell in the bell tower is also from the Kamakura Period.
The temple grounds also contain large, stone images of Minoyama Daimyojin, a rascally tanuki (raccoon dog) that is able to change shape and assume other forms.