Jan 18, 2014 - 1 min read

Onzanji

Temple #18 of the Ohenro 88 temple pilgrimage

By C. Rio

Community writer

Jizo Bosastu statues for protection of children

Main Gate, about 300 meters away from the temple grounds

Temple eighteen in the Shikoku Ohenro pilgrimage is also known as the Temple of Gratitude Mountain. It is said that when Kobo Daishi was training here, his mother, came to visit. However, at that time women were not allowed on any of the sacred mountains. For seventeen days he performed an esoteric rite at the temple gate until the ban against women climbing the mountain was lifted. When Kobo Daishi's mother was finally allowed to enter the temple grounds, she shaved off her hair and became a nun. Because Kobo Daishi took care of his mother after she became a nun, the temple came to be known as Onzanji, a temple of gratitude to one's parents. To get there, catch a Kayahara bound bus from Tokushima station and get off at the Onzanji-mae bus stop. From there it’s about a 15 minute walk.