Kokubunji, the Grand Head Temple

⛩️ Kokubunji, the Grand Head Temple ⛩️ ⛩️ Settsu Kokubunji is the head temple of the Shingon sect Kokubunji temples. ⛩️ It is the seventh site of the Kinki Thirty-six Fudo Pilgrimage. ⛩️ It is the ninth site of the Settsu Eighty-eight Sacred Places. ⛩️ It is the ninth site of the Osaka Thirteen Buddha Pilgrimage (Seishi Bosatsu). ⛩️ It is the seventeenth site of the Saikoku Forty-nine Sacred Places. ⛩️ The temple enshrines a seated statue of the Yakushi Nyorai (Bhaisajyaguru), a standing statue of Kobo Daishi (Kukai), and a standing statue of the Acala (Fudo Myoo) among others. ⛩️ According to historical records, Emperor Shomu, who was a devout Buddhist, issued an edict in the thirteenth year of the Tempyo era (741 AD) to establish provincial temples, and the existing 'Chorakuji' was relocated to Settsu to establish Kokubunji (Konkomyo Shitenno Gokoku no Ji). It is known as the secular 'Choraku Kokubunji' and has been used as a dojo for successive 14 emperors to this day. ⛩️ Throughout its long history, it has suffered from fires multiple times, especially during the Siege of Osaka in summer, when the Toyotomi clan was destroyed. In the Edo period, in 1718, it was rebuilt by the revival founder Kaen Ritsu, and it appears in the literature 'Settsu Meisho Kaichu Daisei Shoko Sei 1855 (Ansei 2) year~Volume One Kokubunji'. The temple also suffered severe damage during the anti-Buddhist movement of the Meiji era and the 1934 Muroto typhoon, among other disturbances. Additionally, in 1945, due to the large-scale air raids on Osaka during World War II, the old Matsukage gate (now the temple gate) was abandoned. All the treasures turned to ashes. After the war, the jurisdiction was readjusted, and some land became government property. Kobo Daishi visited this temple in 1150 during his lifetime. 📍 Detailed address: 1 Chome-6-18 Kokubunji, Kita Ward, Osaka, 531-0064 Japan 🚉 Transportation guide: Tram Osaka Tenmangu Station, cycling, walking. ⏳ Visiting time: 1 hour 💰 Average cost: Free