Cultural property introduction

Yakushi Ruriko Nyorai

Made in 1156.It was originally created as a statue of Amida Nyorai.One theory is that it was located in the Rokkakudo Hall of Mt. Nachi.It is thought that the first Yakushi Nyorai, which was dedicated by Dengyo Daishi, was lost due to war or disaster, so a new medicine pot was placed in his left hand and it was enshrined as a replacement.It is a masterpiece worthy of being designated as a national important cultural property, with its size overwhelming the visitors and the graceful expression of its clothing.The Yakushi Nyorai is said to be able to heal various illnesses, and has welcomed many visitors from ancient times, when it was said to be a pilgrimage to Kumano for ants, to the present day.It is open to the public only three times a year. They are the First Yakushi on January 1th, the Great Pannya Memorial Service on January 8th, and the Flower Festival on April 1th (usually held for three days, the 13th and the nearest Saturday and Sunday).

sign of wish

Since ancient times, when praying to Yakushi Nyorai for healing from illness or injury, it has been customary to hang decorations depicting the bad parts of the body on the latticework in front of Yakushi-do Hall.If you have bad hearing, try a flat stone, if you have bad eyesight, use a coin with a hole in it, if you have bad teeth, use a bundle of toothpicks, if you have bad legs, use straw sandals, and if you have a mental illness, use a pair of sandals. Hang each glass ball on the grid.Also, if you have a headache, please cut a little hair and put it in a purse.The sign for making a wish is placed in front of the Yakushido Hall, so if you are suffering from illness, please pray to Yakushi Nyorai.

Bishamonten & Fudo Myoo

Normally, the attendants of Yakushi Nyorai are Nikko and Moonlight Bodhisattvas, who serve as nurses during the day and night, and are said to assist Yakushi Nyorai, who is a doctor.However, in temples of the Tendai sect, Bishamonten and Fudo Myoo are sometimes placed as attendants of Yakushi Nyorai.The set includes Bishamonten, who brings in good fortune, and Fudo Myoo, who wards off evil.These two statues were made in the late Kamakura period, about 2 years ago.The wooden plaque inside the statue has the name of a monk from Mt. Nachi as the petitioner, and is a valuable document that shows that Taitaiji had a deep connection with Mt. Nachi.

Twelve gods

The Twelve Divine Generals are warriors who protect Yakushi Tathagata.Buddhas also have ranks; the highest rank is the Tathagata, and the lower rank is the Bodhisattva.In order for a Bodhisattva to become a Tathagata, he must set a number of goals called great vows and achieve them.It is said that Yakushi Nyorai had 12 great vows, which are represented by the Twelve Generals.Also, since the number twelve is the number of the zodiac signs, each of the twelve divine generals symbolizes a zodiac sign.If you look closely, you will see that each has a zodiac sign on its head.In the old days, both direction and time were represented by zodiac signs, so Yakushi Nyorai is protected 24 hours a day from all directions.It has a meaning.

Buddha

The three mirror-like circular objects suspended above the Zushi (the box in which Yakushi Nyorai is kept) in front are called Kakebotoke.A mirror is displayed in the center of the shrine, and this hanging Buddha is also a mirror, representing Yakushi Nyorai reflected in the mirror. It is not a set of three statues, but each one is enshrined as a medicine Buddha.The ones on either side are of normal size, and the one in the middle is huge compared to them.The three-dimensional work is also highly skilled and worth seeing.It was dedicated about 3 years ago by Kametsurumaru, a feudal lord who lived in what is now Kamitonda.

carvings of the zodiac

The carvings of the zodiac displayed around Yakushido were dedicated about 180 years ago in the late Edo period.Daibei Murakami, who made the dedication, was born in Takashiba, an area downstream from Taitaiji Temple, and went to Asakusa to spread ``Daitaiji Yakushi Moxibustion'' and amass a large fortune.As a token of gratitude for borrowing their names, these zodiac signs were carved by Rinsai Kayanuma, a master craftsman from the Edo period, and transported by boat as an offering.The Edo period was a time when there was a high demand for wood carvings, such as those used to decorate Nikko Toshogu Shrine, which was built to enshrine Ieyasu, so technology developed rapidly.It is a masterpiece that conveys the high technology of the time, and its three-dimensional and dynamic expression is splendid.

Yakushido

This Yakushi-do is a hall dedicated to the principal image of Yakushi Nyorai, and is said to have been built about 600 years ago.Since it was destroyed due to disasters, it has been rebuilt many times, and new wood can be seen here and there.However, the four thick pillars surrounding the center are difficult to obtain today, and are thought to be the ones used at that time.The many holes in the pillars also contain the marks of arrows left during the war.

dragon sculpture

The dragon carvings displayed on the transom in the center of the Yakushi-do hall are also thought to have been made in the Edo period, just like the zodiac.It is extremely difficult to carve a dragon from such a large piece of wood.Dragons are said to control the rain.Dragons are cherished in agricultural areas where rain is essential.In addition, dragons are sometimes displayed on high places such as the ceilings of temples in the hope that the teachings of Buddhism will spread among the people in the same way that rain does.Similar to Katsushika Hokusai's ukiyo-e prints, the dynamic depiction of waves is a characteristic of the Edo period.

Holy Kannon Bodhisattva Seated Statue

Kannon Bodhisattva is said to be able to change into 33 different forms.Choose the most suitable form according to the situation of the person in need and turn the difficult situation around.It is said that she sometimes takes the form of a woman, and is often depicted as a woman.Since Buddhas are generally male, they are the most familiar Buddhas for people who seek the compassion of a mother.This Kannon Bodhisattva was the principal image of Shobo-ji Temple, located in the area upstream of the Ota River called Sakatari.Due to the decline in the number of dancers, the temple was abandoned and was moved to Taitaiji.Among the many Buddha statues at Taitaiji Temple, it is the most handsome one.He holds a lotus flower in his left hand.The lotus, which grows out of mud and blooms into beautiful flowers, is said to be a symbol of the Buddha, who attains enlightenment even in a world full of earthly desires.