[Yamagata Prefecture] Numerous Yamagata Sokushinbutsu born from the belief in reincarnation on Mt. Yudono

Sokushinbutsu. Even if life ends, they remain forever and watch over people. At the end of his training, the monk voluntarily dedicates himself to eating only nuts and wild vegetables, reducing the amount of fat in his body to the limit. When he was nearing the end of his life, he went into a stone chamber, fasted, and met his end. meanwhile 1,000 days to 5,000 daysIt is the most severe training that takes place. Three years and three months later, it was dug up and enshrined as a Sokushinbutsu.

It is believed that there were many sokushinbutsu enshrined all over Japan, but due to various factors such as unskilled preservation techniques and grave theft, their numbers have decreased dramatically.As of 2022, only 18 bodies have been confirmed.(It is thought that there are many more, including those that are known but unconfirmed.)

What is the difference between a Sokushinbutsu and a mummy?

Let me briefly touch on the relationship between Sokushinbutsu and mummies. It is understood that sokushinbutsu is someone who voluntarily creates a body that will not decay and then takes their own life, while mummies are bodies whose internal organs are removed, embalmed, and dried by someone else after death. is. Mummies also exist in Japan, and the four generations of the Oshu Fujiwara clan are known to be buried in Chusonji Konjikido (Hiraizumi Town, Iwate Prefecture).

Reference: Sokushinbutsu and Mummy Dainichibou Temple: http://www.dainichibou.or.jp/sokushinbutu/

“Mummy” is a Japanese word that is not commonly used around the world. The leading theory is that the pronunciation of mirra, which was used as a preservative in Portugal during the Edo period, was transformed. In English, a mummy is called mummy. Mummy is spelled exactly the same as mother (mammy) and is still used in the UK (mommy in the US). I don't seem to understand why they are the same.

Temples where Sokushinbutsu is enshrined in Yamagata Prefecture

In Yamagata Prefecture, there are officially 8 statues (9 including 1 unconfirmed statue) mainly in temples related to Mt. Yudono.Yamagata Prefecture has [Mt. Haguro, a place to pray for happiness in this life】【Mt. Gassan prays for peace and rebirth after death】【Mt. Yudono, a place to pray for rebirth] calledDewa SanzanThere are, especiallyMount Yudono faith prayed for eternal life in the futureproduced many sokushinbutsu.

In Yamagata Prefecture, Sokushinbutsu is enshrined and open to the public at six temples: Shurenji, Dainichibo, Honmyoji, Nangakuji, Kaikoji, and Zokoin, as well as Meijuin, which is privately owned.

Yudonosan Shurenji Temple, where Tetsumon Kaijin's Sokushinbutsu is enshrined

Churenji Templeis a Shingon sect temple that was founded (founded) by Kobo Daishi in 825. At that time, women were prohibited from visiting Mt. Yudono, so it was built as a temple where women could worship.

There are many high-ranking monks who trained at Shuren-ji Temple and became Sokushinbutsu, and six statues are enshrined at Shuren-ji Temple, Honmyo-ji Temple, Nangaku-ji Temple, Kaiko-ji Temple (two statues), and Kannon-ji Temple (Murakami City, Niigata Prefecture).Shurenji Temple enshrines the sokushinbutsu of Tetsumonkai Shonin, which was established in 1830.

Shurenji isThe 31st temple of the Shonai Thirty-Three Kannon TemplesIn the Kannon-do Hall (Kodenya), there is a secret incense Buddha (Shikimi = 3 cm [approx. The standing statue of Shikimiba Shokan Nonbosatsuryuzo, which is a Kannon statue of the highest rank, is enshrined here. In 2009, the Japanese travel guide "Michelin Green Guide Japan" published by Michelin awarded Shurenji Temple and Sokushin Butsu Tetsumon Kaijin two stars (★★) as "worth a visit," and the ceiling paintings and Waniguchi (Japan's largest, diameter: 5 shaku 5 sun [approx. 165 cm], weight: 100 pieces [approx. 375 kg]) was awarded a 1 star (★)

INFORMATON

• Facility name: Yudonosan Shurenji Temple
• Location: 92-1 Oamiza Nakadai, Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture
• Phone number: 0235-54-6536
• Visiting hours:
• May-October/9:00-17:00
• November - April / 10:00 - 16:00
• Open all year round
• Admission fee: 500 yen for adults, 300 yen for children
• Railway: Approximately 45 minutes by bus bound for Yudonoyama from Tsuruoka Station on the JR Uetsu Main Line, then approximately 20 minutes' walk from Oami bus stop.
• Car: Approximately 30 minutes on National Route 112 from Yamagata Expressway Gassan IC
• URL: Shurenji Temple

GOOGLE MAP

Yudonoyama Sohonji Temple where the Sokushinbutsu of Shinnyokai Kaijin is enshrined, Takisui-dera Dainichibo Temple

Dainichibois a Shingon sect temple founded by Kobo Daishi in 807.Head temple of the four temples of Mt. Yudonois. Like Shuren-ji Temple, it was built as a temple where women could visit since Mt. Yudono was a mountain where women were not allowed.

The sokushinbutsu enshrined here is Shinnyokaishonin, who was enshrined in 1783.It is said that Shinnyo Kaijin practiced for 70 years before becoming Sokushinbutsu. The principal image is the Taikon Ryobu Dainichi Nyorai statue (Yudonoyama Daigongen), which is said to have been created by Kobo Daishi himself. In addition, the gilt bronze statue of Shakyamuni Buddha has been designated as an important cultural property of the country.

Dainichibo isShonai Thirty-Three Kannon Temple No. 9The Kannon-do Hall houses 100 Kannon statues and 100 variations of the Kannon that were given to the temple by the Sakai family, the lords of the Shonai domain, about 400 years ago.

INFORMATON

• Facility name: Yudonosan Sohonji Temple Takisui-dera Dainichibo Temple
• Location: 11 Oamiza Nyudo, Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture
• Phone number: 0235-54-6301
• Visiting hours: 8:00-17:00 (Reception until 16:30)
• Admission fee: Adults 500 yen, Junior high school students 400 yen, Elementary school students 300 yen
• access:
• Railway: Approximately 45 minutes by bus bound for Yudonoyama from Tsuruoka Station on the JR Uetsu Main Line, then approximately 25 minutes' walk from Oami bus stop.
• Car: Approximately 40 minutes on National Route 112 from Yamagata Expressway Gassan IC
• URL: Dainichibo

GOOGLE MAP

Fudoyama Honmyoji Temple, where the Sokushinbutsu of Honmei Kaijin is enshrined

Honmyoji Templeis a Shingon sect temple founded in 1592 by Shingetsu Shonin.

Honmyoukai Shonin, who is enshrined as a sokushinbutsu, trained at Shurenji and then entered Honmyoji.He began training to become Sokushinbutsu in 1673, and entered Honmyoji Temple in 1683 at the age of 96.

INFORMATON

• Facility name: Fudoyama Honmyoji Temple
• Location: 388 Uchino, Higashiiwamoto, Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture
• Phone number: 0235-53-2269
• Visit: Reservation required
• Open all year round
• Admission fee: Free
• Railway: Approximately 30 minutes by bus bound for Yudonoyama from Tsuruoka Station on the JR Uetsu Main Line, then approximately 15 minutes' walk from Higashibashi bus stop.
• Car: Approximately 5 minutes from Yamagata Expressway Shonai Asahi IC
• URL: Honmyoji Temple

GOOGLE MAP

Nangaku-ji Temple, a training mountain where the sokushinbutsu of Tetsuryukai people is enshrined

Nangakuji Templeteeth,A branch temple of Shurenji, Yudonosan training center and prayer place.The date of its founding is unknown due to repeated fires.

In 1956 (Showa 31), the entire mountain of Nangakuji was reduced to ashes due to a fire that spread from a neighboring house. However, the principal image Tetsuryukai Shonin SokushinbutsuOnly the main hall survived the fire and was moved to its current location in 1973 (Showa 48), and the main hall was rebuilt.

At Nangakuji TempleChonan Nenkei Reido, which enshrines the Meiji era psychic named Toshie Chonan.there is. Toshie Chonan was arrested and put on trial on charges of fraud for providing medical treatment by selling false supernatural powers, but during the trial she was found to have truly demonstrated her supernatural powers and was acquitted. He has an anecdote about how he became.

Nangakuji isShonai Thirty-Three Kannon Temple No. 29It has become.

INFORMATON

• Facility name: Shugyoyama Nangakuji Temple
• Location: 3-6 Sunada-cho, Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture
• Phone number: 0235-23-5054
• Visiting hours: 8:30-16:30
• Closed: January 2nd, May 13th, August 14th
• Admission fee: 400 yen for adults, 300 yen for children
• access:
• Railway: Approximately 20 minutes by bus from Tsuruoka Station on the JR Uetsu Main Line, then approximately 4 minutes' walk from Nangakuji-mae bus stop.
• Car: About 5 minutes from Yamagata Expressway Tsuruoka IC

GOOGLE MAP

Kaikoji Temple on Mt. Sunataka, where the sokushinbutsu of the Tadashi Marines and Enmei Marines are enshrined

Kaikoji Temple1,200 years agoKobo DaishiThis temple is said to have been founded by the Shingon sect, and was originally a branch temple of Shurenji.

Two statues of Shonin Chukai (inducted in 1755) and Enmyokai Shonin (inducted in 1822) are enshrined in Sokubutsu-do Hall.It has been. Kaikoji is the only temple in Japan that enshrines two Sokushinbutsu statues.

INFORMATON

• Facility name: Sunadakayama Kaikoji Temple
• Location: 2-7-12 Hiyoshicho, Sakata City
• Phone number: 0234-22-4264 (Kaikoji Temple)
• Opening hours: 9:00-17:00 (9:00-16:00 from November to March)
• Admission fee: 500 yen for adults, 300 yen for high school students, 200 yen for elementary and junior high school students
• Closed: Tuesdays, January 1st to January 3rd
• access:
• Railway: Approximately 5 minutes by bus from Sakata Station on the JR Uetsu Main Line, then approximately 5 minutes' walk from Kotobukicho bus stop.
• Car: Approximately 17 minutes from Nihonkai-Tohoku Expressway Sakata IC
• URL: Kaikoji Temple

GOOGLE MAP

Kuroko-in Temple, where the Sokushinbutsu of Komyo Kaijin is enshrined

Kurokoinis located in the inland area of ​​Yamagata Prefecture, a little far from Dewa Sanzan.A Soto sect temple in Shirataka-cho, Okitama regionIt was founded in 1588.Koumyokai: Sokushinbutsu of the Marineris enshrined.

Komyo Kaijin, who was a pilgrim on Mt. Yudono, trained as a sokushinbutsu and became a monk at Kuroko-in Temple in 1854. The tomb was excavated in 1978 (Showa 53) because there was a will saying, ``Please dig it up after 100 years,'' and the Shirataka Town Board of Education conducted an academic investigation with the cooperation of the government and Niigata University School of Medicine, and it was established as a Buddha statue. It was enshrined.

INFORMATON

• Facility name: Kurakain
• Location: 544-1 Kurokamo, Shirataka-cho, Yamagata Prefecture
• Phone number: 0238-86-0086 (Shirataka Town Tourism Association)
• *For details, please contact Shirataka Town Tourism Association.
• access:
• Railway/About 10 minutes by taxi from Arato Station on the Yamagata Railway Flower Nagai Line
• Car: Approximately 60 minutes from Yamagata Expressway Yamagata Zao IC via National Route 286 and Route 13
• URL: Shirataka Town Tourism Association

GOOGLE MAP

Meijyu-in Temple on Mt. Kiei, where the sokushinbutsu of Meikami people is enshrined

Myojuinis in Yonezawa Cityprivate residence hallin,Meikai Shonin is the only privately owned sokushinbutsu in Japanis. The hall is open on the 5th of every month and you can visit.

INFORMATON

• Facility name: Kameizan Meijuin
• Address: 3675 Yanazawa, Yonezawa City, Yamagata Prefecture
• Phone number: 0238-21-6111 (Yonezawa City Board of Education)
• *For details, please contact the Yonezawa City Board of Education.
• access:
• Railway: Approximately 15 minutes by taxi from Yonezawa Station on the Yamagata Shinkansen or JR Yonezaka Line
• Car: Approximately 20 minutes from Tohoku Chuo Expressway Yonezawa Hachimanbara IC
• URL: Yonezawa City

GOOGLE MAP

Joshinan on Mt. Shoō, where the sokushinbutsu of a nun is said to be enshrined

Located in Yonezawa CityJoshin-anis a temple where the father and son of Masanobu Sato, a vassal of Minamoto no Yoshitsune, are enshrined. She is the mother of the Sato brothers from the shrine grounds. A sokushinbutsu (sometimes described as a mummy), said to be Baishinni, was excavatedA perennial pagoda has been erected on top of it. Because it has not been confirmed, it is not included in the existing Sokushinbutsu. private。

INFORMATON

• Facility name: Shōōzan Joshinan
• Location: 2-2-29 Ekimae, Yonezawa City, Yamagata Prefecture
• Phone number: 0238-23-2353 (Joshinan)
• *Please contact Joshinan for details.
• Access: Railway/Approximately 5 minutes walk from Yonezawa Station on the Yamagata Shinkansen or JR Yonezaka Line Car/Approximately 8 minutes from Yonezawa Hachimanbara IC on the Tohoku Chuo Expressway

GOOGLE MAP