Horin-ji Temple

In short

Horin-ji Temple is said to have been founded by Prince Yamashiro no Oe and others, wishing for the recovery of his father, Prince Shotoku, from illness. It is also known as "Mii-dera" after three nearby wells. Although its three-story pagoda was lost to a lightning strike in 1944, it was rebuilt in 1975, thanks in part to the efforts of the writer Koda Aya and others.

• ​Three-story pagoda​​: The sacred Buddhist relics (sarira), which were flung out during the fire and saved from destruction, are enshrined in the current pagoda.
• ​Standing Statue of Kokuzo Bosatsu​​: An Asuka-period statue carved from a single block of camphor wood (ichiboku-zukuri) from the top of the head to the pedestal. It looks almost as if it were copied from the Kudara Kannon statue at Horyu-ji Temple.
• ​Close to Horyu-ji Temple​​: It is about a 15-minute walk from Horyu-ji Temple, and you can also extend your stroll to Hoki-ji Temple.

History and Highlights

The exact date of Horin-ji Temple's founding is unclear. Two accounts have been handed down regarding its origin. One is that when Prince Shotoku fell ill in 622, his son Prince Yamashiro no Oe and grandson Prince Yugi built this temple to pray for his recovery. The other is that it was co-founded through the joint efforts of three figures: the monks Enmyo and Kaihoshi, along with Shimotsukenu no Shinmotsu.

Because of three nearby wells said to have been dug by Prince Shotoku, it is also called "Mii-dera." When completed in the 7th century, the temple was larger than it is today. From around the 13th century, the temple declined, and in 1645 a typhoon destroyed most of the temple precinct buildings. Even so, only the three-story pagoda survived, standing for about 300 years. The temple was revived in the 18th century, when the Main Hall and the Lecture Hall were rebuilt.

In 1944, the three-story pagoda was destroyed by a fire caused by lightning. Raising funds for its reconstruction was extremely difficult. Nevertheless, with the dedication of local residents, writer Koda Aya, and others, widespread support was gathered, and the three-story pagoda was completed in 1975. Today, Horin-ji Temple houses numerous treasures, including the Eleven-headed Kannon statue designated as an Important Cultural Property.

Viewing and Experience Highlights

• ​Three-story pagoda​​: Completed in 1975. Inside are enshrined the Buddhist relics that were flung out when the original pagoda burned and thus were not lost. Look up at the pagoda while reflecting on the reconstruction story supported by local people and Koda Aya.
• ​Standing Statue of Kokuzo Bosatsu​​: An Asuka-period statue designated as an Important Cultural Property. Measuring 1.75 meters in height, it is carved from a single block of camphor wood from the crown of its head to its pedestal. Although temple tradition identifies it as Kokuzo Bosatsu, it is thought that it may have originally been created as Kannon Bosatsu.
• ​Comparison with the Kudara Kannon​​: Holding a water jar lightly between the fingers of its left hand, it has its right arm bent with the palm facing upward. Its posture looks almost like a replica of the Kudara Kannon at Horyu-ji Temple. It features a peeled wooden texture where the pigments have flaked away, along with a serene, simple expression of half-open eyes and firmly closed lips.

Walking Tips

Horin-ji Temple is located about a 15-minute walk from Horyu-ji Temple. It is approximately 960 meters north of Horyu-ji Temple and about 810 meters north of Chugu-ji Temple. Hoki-ji Temple is about 650 meters to the east. You can take a walking tour exploring the pagodas: the five-story pagoda of Horyu-ji Temple, the three-story pagoda of Horin-ji Temple, and the three-story pagoda of Hoki-ji Temple. Since the pagoda at Horin-ji Temple is a reconstructed one, comparing it with the other two ancient pagodas is also recommended.