Is the Thousand Buddhas at Daimanji Temple's Kokuzoson in Mukaiyama the origin of the name Sendai? [Miyagi Prefecture]

On the way from central Sendai towards Nagamachi, near Atagobashi Station on the Sendai Municipal Subway Namboku Line , Atago is famous for being home to Atago Shrine are Daimanji Temple and Kokuzoson

It is home to Buddha statues, commonly known as Sentaibutsu, which are said to be the origin of the original name of the Sendai Sentai."

A Soto Zen temple said to have been founded by the Oshu Fujiwara clan

Daimanji Temple is a Soto Zen temple said to have been founded by the Oshu Fujiwara clan. Its mountain name is Mount Kokuzo, and its principal deities are Shaka Nyorai and Kokuzo Bosatsu

It has a long history of over 800 years, and is said to have been revived by the third head priest of Ryusen-in Temple, Ryozan Koju, who rebuilt the Kokuzodo Hall around 1573 when it had fallen into disrepair

It consists of the main tower, Kokuzo-do, and the head temple, Daimanji. the third temple of the 88 Northern Pilgrimage Sites and the third temple of the Seven Kannon Temples of Sendai . As the principal image is Kokuzo Bosatsu, it is also the guardian deity of the Ox and the Tiger

By the way, the adjacent Atago Shrine is the guardian deity of the Dragon and Snake .

The Thousand Buddhas at Daimanji Temple and Kokuzodo Hall, from which the name Sendai is derived

Before Date Masamune established his base in Sendai, there were five temples in the area now known as Aobayama: Chosenji, Ryusenji, Kozenji, Genkoan, and Daimanji . Of these, the Kokuzo Hall of Daimanji was the main tower, so at the time it was called Kokuzo Castle or Kokuzo Tate (Castle)

the Kokubu clan , who ruled over Miyagi County in Mutsu Province (present-day Sendai City to Matsushima Town) The castle was renamed Sentaijo after the Sentaibutsu ( enshrined in the Kokuzodo Hall . (Sentaibutsu are a thousand wooden Buddha statues carved for memorial services.)

in the "Date Jike Kiroku," the official history of the Sendai domain compiled by the Date clan.

The castle is called Sentaijo because there is a shrine to Sentaibutsu on the castle grounds

It is written:

In other words, it is said that the Sentai Buddha statues in the Kokuzodo Hall of Daimanji Temple were the catalyst for the creation of place names, such as "Sentai" > "Chiyo" > "Sendai (Sendai)."

After the construction of Sendai Castle, it was moved twice to its current location in Mukaiyama

Documents state that Daimanji Temple was moved to Kyogamine along with the Kokuzodo Hall when Date Masamune constructed Sendai Castle, and then moved again to its current location on Mt. Atago when Kansenden, the mausoleum of the second feudal lord, Date Tadamune, was constructed. It is said that Harada Kai, famous for the Date Disturbance .

Temples dedicated to the guardian deity of the Sendai Zodiac, the Year of the Ox and the Year of the Tiger

The Kokuzo Hall of Daimanji Temple is also the temple dedicated to the years of the Ox and Tiger, the guardian deities of the zodiac in Sendai

Sendai Zodiac Guardian Deity

1. [Child] ・Zenryoin Kannon Hall (Thousand-Armed Kannon)
2. [Ox] [Tiger] Kokuzodo Daimanji Temple (Kokuzo Bodhisattva)
3. [Rabbit] - Washizuyama Monjudo (Manjusri Bodhisattva)
4. [Dragon] [Snake] Atago Shrine (Samantabhadra Bodhisattva)
5. [Go] - Nijusanya Hall (Seishi Bodhisattva)
6. [Sheep] [Monkey] - Dainichi Hall (Mahavairocana Buddha)
7. [Rooster] - Mitakiyama Fudoin Temple (Acala)
8. [Dog] [Boar] - Osaki Hachiman Shrine (Amitabha Buddha)

Furthermore, within the grounds of Kokuzodo there is an octagonal hall and stone statues of the 12 zodiac animals where you can pray to all eight of the guardian deities of the 12 zodiac animals, so even if you visit with family or friends of different zodiac signs, everyone can pray to their own guardian deity!

Furthermore, right next to Kokuzodo is Atago Shrine, the

Tohoku Rokken Trivia Media NEFT

The main deity of the year of the Dragon and Snake enshrined in the god of fire! Atago Shrine (Sendai City) at Mt. Atago (Miyagi Prefecture)

https://jp.neft.asia/archives/28029

Atago Shrine, located in the southern part of the center of Sendai city and enshrined at the top of Mt. Atago, is a famous shrine that is famous as a night view spot because it offers a panoramic view of Sendai city across the Hirose River. It is said that there are about 1,000 shrines in 43 prefectures across the country that bear the name "Atago", but this article will focus on Atago Shrine, which is located in Mukoyama, Taihaku Ward, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture, and the Atago shrine that gave its name. This is an introduction to faith. What is Atago Shrine? Atago Shrine is located on the top of Mt. Atago, 75m above sea level, across the Hirose River, south of the center of Sendai City. The main deity enshrined in the main hall of Atago Shrine is Kagutsuchi, the god of fire. And Amaterasu Omikami (Amaterasu...

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It is also famous for its ability to ward off cancer!

Daimanji Temple is also famous for its ability to ward off cancer, and due to word of mouth reports of wishes coming true, it is now visited by worshippers from all over the country. Prayers for warding off cancer are also accepted

summary

About half of the Sentaido Buddha statues were destroyed in air raids during World War II, but only about 450 of the Buddha statues currently enshrined in the Sentaido Hall managed to survive to the present day

This Buddha is the origin of the name Sendai. You can see it not far from the center of the city. If you have the chance, be sure to visit

Daimanji Temple <Information>

• Name: Kokuzosan Daimanji Temple Kokuzoson
• Address: 4-4-1 Mukaiyama, Taihaku Ward, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture, 982-0841
• Phone number: 022-266-6096
• Official URL: https://www.daimanji.or.jp/

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Aoiwa

Traveling around the Tohoku region, I enjoy drinking delicious sake and exploring the local history, traditions, and customs. I write articles based on my interests. I'm currently interested in folk performing arts, local toys, and folk beliefs.