Karinzan Jionji Temple
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目次
- Jionji Temple location – 慈恩寺 所在地 –
- What is Jionji Temple? – 慈恩寺とは –
- Main Hall (Kannon Hall) – 本堂（観音堂）-
- Temple gate (Sanmon) – 山門（サンモン）-
- Goshuin (temple/shrine stamp) – 御朱印 –
- Genjou Tower – 玄奘塔(げんじょうとう) –
- Summary – 総括 –
Jionji Temple location – 慈恩寺 所在地 –
Jionji Temple: Iwatsuki Ward, Saitama City, Saitama Prefecture
Address: 1037 Omote-Jionji, Iwatsuki-ku, Saitama City, Saitama Prefecture 339-0009
Temple offering hours: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Nearest station: Tobu Toyoharu Station
Nearest interchange: Iwatsuki IC (approximately 20 minutes, 8 km)
Bus: Iwatsuki Station – Hasuda Station East Exit Line [Asahi Bus]
Parking: Available (adjacent)
What is Jionji Temple? – 慈恩寺とは –
The mountain’s name is “Karinzan（華林山）”.
The principal image is “*Thousand-Armed Kannon Bodhisattva,(千手観世音菩薩)” also known as “Jionji Kannon.(慈恩寺観音)”
The official name of this temple is “Karinzan Saijoin Jionji,(華林山最上院慈恩寺)” and it is an *Ancient Temple (*古刹[こさつ]) of the Tendai sect founded in 824 by Jikaku Daishi.
*Thousand-Armed Kannon Bodhisattva,(千手観世音菩薩)”
This Buddha symbolizes great compassion that saves all sentient beings without exception. Its formal name is “Senju Sengen Kanzeon Bosatsu(千手千眼観世音菩薩)” (Thousand-Armed, Thousand-Eyed Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva), and it is believed to possess infinite merit, finding and helping all those suffering with its thousand arms and thousand eyes. The thousand arms represent the boundless compassion that saves all suffering people without exception.
*Ancient Temple (*古刹[こさつ])
It seems to refer to an old temple with a long history and distinguished origins.There is no clear definition of how many years after its founding a temple must be considered an ancient temple, but it generally refers to historical temples that were established in ancient times, such as the Heian or Kamakura periods, and that have garnered strong devotion in their local communities.
During the Edo period, the temple received a grant of 100 koku of land from Tokugawa Ieyasu, and as it is also the twelfth temple on the Bando Thirty-Three Kannon Pilgrimage(坂東三十三観音霊場), the temple grounds are still bustling with people visiting for worship and sightseeing.
I had driven past it before, but when I learned that they offered Goshuin (temple/shrine stamps), I decided to go.
There were local families and people who didn’t seem to be Japanese there.
Main Hall (Kannon Hall) – 本堂（観音堂）-
The current main hall (Kannon Hall) was rebuilt in 1843 after the original was destroyed by fire in 1836. It has a hipped roof.
It was renovated in 1937 (Showa 12) and features an entrance-style roof.
It’s slightly elevated from the road, and I’d never seen the main hall before, so I was surprised to find it was a magnificent building when I went there.
It’s not as large as Senso-ji or Zenko-ji temples, but I got the feeling that it’s a temple that’s very much loved by the local people.
Temple gate (Sanmon) – 山門（サンモン）-
The temple gate, which comes into view when heading from Hasuda City towards Iwatsuki Hokuryo High School and Tokuriki Elementary School, is not particularly large, but it has a dignified presence.
The main temple gate has survived numerous fires. It is said to have been built in 1691 (Genroku 4).
Goshuin (temple/shrine stamp) – 御朱印 –
You can get it at the temple office (寺務所[Jimu-sho]), the building with the red roof in front of the main hall (Kannon Hall).
Right Side：Houhai（奉拝）
It means “I will respectfully bow and pray.”
Center：Karinzan Jionji Temple（華林山慈恩寺）This is the “mountain name,” which is the designation of a temple.
The central red seal (treasure seal)、The names of Buddhas and temples are inscribed on them, and sacred seals of the principal image of Jionji Temple, such as “Senju Kannon Bodhisattva,(千手観世音菩薩)” are stamped on them.
Left、The day you visit the shrine and forged a connection with the Buddha will be recorded.
Lower Left Side：”Butler（執事）”This refers to the title of a Buddhist priest who assists the head priest in a temple and oversees all aspects of temple affairs (the operation and practical work of the temple).-Mid September 2025
Genjou Tower – 玄奘塔(げんじょうとう) –
The sacred remains of the great monk Xuanzang, beloved by people through the novel “Journey to the West,” are enshrined at Ci’en Temple.
(;・∀・) I had absolutely no idea.
Visitors to the Xuanzang Pagoda, a thirteen-tiered granite structure, seem to see it as a bridge between the Buddhist cultures of China and Japan.
Visitors to the Xuanzang Pagoda, a thirteen-tiered granite structure, seem to see it as a bridge between the Buddhist cultures of China and Japan.
The stupa of Xuanzang’s relics (玄奘三蔵霊骨塔)
Address: 1037 Omote-Jionji, Iwatsuki-ku, Saitama City, Saitama Prefecture 339-0009
It wasn’t large, but it was well-maintained, a very mystical, and peaceful space.
I hope this will be helpful for those who have visited Ci’en Temple but couldn’t go to Xuanzang Pagoda, or for those who are thinking of going.
Summary – 総括 –
I visited Jionji Temple and the Xuanzang Pagoda, and I was once again impressed by the fact that these sites are also the names of the area (around Jionji) in the northeastern part of Iwatsuki Ward, Saitama City, Saitama Prefecture, and by the way Japanese culture has survived to the present day.
I would like to take another stroll through this lush green area, which was developed around the ancient temple “Jionji (Jionji Kannon),” founded in the early Heian period (around 794 for about 100 years), and which retains abundant nature and historical assets.
Thank you for watching.
