Shiromine-ji (Japanese: 白峯寺) is a temple belonging to the Omuro School of Shingon Buddhism, situated near an elevation of 271 meters on the slopes of Mt. Shiramine, located within the Goshikidai highlands in Sakaide, Kagawa Prefecture. Its formal mountain name is Ryōshōzan, and its institutional name is Dōrinin. The principal deity is Senju Kannon Bosatsu (Thousand-armed Kannon). It serves as the 81st temple on the Shikoku 88-Temple Pilgrimage.
Overview
Guardian deities for all twelve signs of the Chinese zodiac are enshrined in separate halls throughout the complex. Adjacent to the temple grounds lies Shiramine Imperial Mausoleum—the only imperial mausoleum in the entire Shikoku region—where the Seishin-sai (a ceremonial festival; see details below) is held annually starting at 9:00 AM on September 21st.
Visitors can enjoy the beauty of flowers throughout the year; the temple is particularly renowned for its cherry blossoms in spring, hydrangeas in summer, and vibrant autumn foliage, drawing large numbers of worshippers. Within the precincts, sacred pilgrim hymns (Goeika) are played, serving to heighten the spiritual atmosphere for those undertaking the Shikoku Pilgrimage.
Furthermore, since ancient times, the temple's principal deity—the Thousand-Armed Kannon Bodhisattva—has been revered as a "Substitute Kannon" (a deity believed to take upon itself the suffering of worshippers). The guardian deity, Shiramine Daigongen (also known as Sagamibo Daigongen—one of Japan's legendary "Eight Great Tengu"), is worshipped as a god of good fortune, business prosperity, and success in competitive endeavors. Additionally, Emperor Sutoku is venerated as a deity who helps sever negative ties, as well as a patron of success in the performing arts and academic studies.
History
According to temple tradition, Kūkai (Kōbō-Daishi) visited this site in the sixth year of the Kōnin era (815). He buried a Nyoihōju (wish-fulfilling jewel) at the summit of Mount Shiramine (elevation 357 m), dug a sacred well (akai) to draw water for Buddhist offerings, and offered a prayer for the salvation of all sentient beings. Furthermore, it is said that Enchin (Chishō-Daishi) ascended the mountain in the second year of the Jōgan era (860) after observing an auspicious light shining from the summit. There, he received a divine oracle from the local guardian deity—a white-haired old man—and subsequently carved a statue of Senju Kannon Bosatsu (Thousand-Armed Kannon) from a miraculous tree. This tree had appeared in the Seto Inland Sea, radiating a mysterious light and emitting a fragrant aroma; Enchin enshrined the resulting statue as the temple's principal image and founded the main sanctuary.
Later, on the 26th day of the eighth lunar month in the second year of the Chōkan era (1164), Retired Emperor Sutoku passed away in exile in Sanuki Province. In accordance with his final wishes, his remains were cremated atop Chigo-dake—a peak situated above this temple—and a mausoleum was constructed there. Three years later, the monk Saigyō visited the site to offer prayers and perform memorial rites for the late emperor. Subsequently, in the second year of the Kenkyū era (1191), Emperor Go-Toba ordered the relocation of the Kinomarudono (Wooden-Circle Palace)—the residence at Tsutsumigaoka where the Retired Emperor had spent the final six years of his life—to a site near the mausoleum to serve as a memorial hall (Hokke-dō). Within this hall, he enshrined a self-portrait of the Retired Emperor that had been painted during the period of his confinement at Ninna-ji Temple in Kyoto. ...enshrined [the sacred object] and offered prayers for the immediate attainment of enlightenment. The temple's fortunes flourished, and its sub-temples eventually numbered as many as twenty-one; however, in the second year of the Eitoku era (1382), a fire broke out and consumed the majority of the complex. In the twenty-second year of the Oei era (1415), Emperor Go-Komatsu—desiring the salvation of the Retired Emperor's soul—donated an Imperial plaque bearing the inscription "Tonshō-ji" in his own calligraphy; thereafter, the temple came to be known as Tonshō-ji-dono. Subsequently, in the eighth year of the Enpō era (1680), the Tonshō-ji-dono and its Imperial Plaque Gate were reconstructed by Matsudaira Yorishige and Yoritsune, the lords of the Takamatsu Domain.
Emperor Kōmei, deeply concerned by the turmoil of the late Edo period, ordered that the spirit of Retired Emperor Sutoku be transferred to Kyoto in order to soothe his soul; however, he passed away on the 25th day of the 12th lunar month of the second year of the Keiō era (1866) before this wish could be realized. His son and successor, Emperor Meiji, carried out this dying wish; on the 26th day of the 8th lunar month of the fourth year of the Keiō era (1868), he dispatched Imperial Envoys to this temple, and before the Imperial Tomb, the following Norito (Shinto ritual prayer) was recited: "The series of deplorable events that transpired during the Hōgen era were truly the very depths of sorrow. In accordance with the dying wish of Emperor Kōmei, a new palace has been constructed near the Kyoto Imperial Palace; therefore, we humbly request that you return to the capital and watch over the Emperor and the Imperial Court for all eternity." Furthermore, the Imperial Envoy brought back the self-portrait of the Retired Emperor—which had been kept at this temple—along with his cherished shō (mouth organ). They arrived in Kyoto on the 6th day of the 9th month of the lunar calendar. The very next day, Emperor Meiji paid a visit to offer his worship; and on the day following that—the 8th day of the 9th month of the lunar calendar—the era name was officially changed from Keiō to Meiji.
With the advent of the Meiji Restoration, the administration of the Shiramine Imperial Tomb was transferred from this temple to the jurisdiction of the Ministry of the Imperial Household. In the third year of the Meiji era (1870), the Jōchi-rei (Decree on the Surrender of Temple Lands) was promulgated; consequently, the temple's estate lands—with the exception of the immediate precincts—were confiscated, resulting in a complete loss of revenue. As a result, the temple's sub-temples—Ichijō-bō, Hōshaku-in, and Enpuku-in—were abolished (becoming haiji), leaving only Dōrin-in, which had served as the main residence (Honbō). Finally, in the sixth year of the Meiji era (1873), the temple's head priest left the priesthood to pursue a secular life, leaving the temple entirely without a resident priest. The previous year, an official directive had been issued declaring that any temple lacking both a congregation and a resident priest would be dissolved. Fearing that their own temple would suffer this same fate if matters remained unchanged, the parishioners petitioned for the appointment of a new head priest. Consequently, in the 11th year of the Meiji era (1878), the new head priest, Keidō Tachibana, took up his post, and the temple was thus spared from dissolution.
In that same year—Meiji 11 (1878)—acting upon a formal petition submitted by the Shinto chief priest of the time, the Ministry of Home Affairs issued a decision: the Chokugaku-mon (Imperial Plaque Gate) and the Tonshōjiden—structures that had previously constituted part of the temple grounds—were to be designated as Shiramine Shrine and established as an auxiliary shrine (Sessha) of Kotohira-gū (hereinafter referred to as "the Shrine"). Consequently, ownership of these structures was transferred from the temple to the Shrine. At that time, numerous temple treasures were also transferred to the Shrine . Subsequently, the temple's head priest and parishioners, dissatisfied with this outcome, filed a lawsuit. Although the temple won the case in Meiji 17 (1884), it was not until Meiji 31 (1898) that Shiramine Shrine was finally returned to the temple and reinstated as the Tonshōjiden. Furthermore, at that time, only a very small fraction of the temple treasures that had previously been transferred to the Shrine were returned to the temple.
In Shōwa 40 (1965)—taking advantage of the momentum surrounding the 800th memorial anniversary of Emperor Sutoku—a group of volunteers from the local youth association filed a lawsuit against the Shrine, demanding the return of the treasures that had been transferred from the temple; however, they ultimately lost the case.
Temple Precincts
Shiromine-ji
(Listed in order, descending from the upper grounds toward the exit)
- Main Hall (Hondo) [Important Cultural Property]: Rebuilt in Keicho 4 (1599). The principal image—the Thousand-armed Kannon—is unveiled to the public annually on the Sunday closest to July 10th (viewing is limited to the duration of the memorial service, beginning at 10:00 AM). The attendant deities are Aizen Myoo and Bato Kannon; however, both are hibutsu (secret images) and are not displayed.
- Daishi Hall (Daishido) [Important Cultural Property]: Rebuilt in Bunka 8 (1811). Enshrined within are Kobo Daishi (at the center), Chigo Daishi (on the left), and Shomen Kongo (on the right); all are hibutsu (secret images).
- Jizo Shrine: Enshrines a stone statue of Jizo Bodhisattva.
- Zennyo Ryuo Shrine: Rebuilt in Anei 6 (1777).
- Kyusha Myojin Shrine
- Buddha's Footprint Stone (Bussokuseki): Erected in Heisei 11 (1999). Located between the Main Hall and the Daishi Hall.
- Stone Yugi Pagoda: Erected in Bunsei 12 (1829). Located to the left of the Main Hall (when facing it).
- Amida Hall (Amidado) [Important Cultural Property]: Erected in Manji 4 (1661). Enshrined within are Amida Nyorai (at the center), flanked by the attendant deities Seishi Bodhisattva and Kannon Bodhisattva. Additionally, one thousand small statues of Amida Buddha are enshrined behind the main images.