Nikkozan Chuzenji Temple Tachiki Kannon

After reaching the unprecedented summit of Mt. Nantai (2,486 m above sea level), Shodo Shonin, a priest of the Nara period (710-784) and the founder of Nikkozan, built Chuzenji Temple in Enryaku 3 (784) as a place for ascetic practice.

Initially, the temple was located toward the entrance to the Nantai-san summit, but was relocated to Utagahama on Lake Chuzenji after the Great Mountainside Tsunami of 1902.

Chuzenji Temple is located at the 18th temple of the Bando Sanjusan Kannon Sacred Shrine, and is home to distinctive Buddhist statues such as Tachiki-Kannon and Naminori Daikokuten.

It is a branch temple of Rinnoji Temple on Mt. Nikko and enshrines a statue of the eleven-faced thousand-armed Kannon (Goddess of Mercy) sculpted by Shodo Shonin, the founder of Mt. Nikko, which is designated as an important cultural property of Japan.

This statue of the Kannon is known as the Tachiki Kannon because Shodo Shonin saw the image of the thousand-armed Kannon on Lake Chuzenji and carved the body part on a standing tree from a single Katsura tree.

It is said that this statue of the Kannon was once sunk into Lake Chuzenji by the Daisen tsunami of 1902, but miraculously rose to the surface and was pulled up. This place is full of hope, where one can feel both strength and tenderness.

Visitors can also casually experience sutra and Buddha copying at Chuzenji Temple.

Chuzenji Temple is a Tendai Sect temple located on the shore of Lake Chuzenji and Utagahama in Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture. It is a branch temple of Rinnoji Temple, which is registered as a World Heritage site, and is known as the 18th of the 33 sacred sites of the Kannon in the Bando region.

According to temple legend, in 784 (Enryaku 3), Shodo Shonin, the founder of Nikko Mountain, while touring Lake Chuzenji by boat, perceived the image of the Thousand-Armed Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva on the lake and carved a standing statue of this deity on a Katsura tree. Chuzenji Temple was founded with this “Standing Thousand-armed Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva” as its principal image.

At first, the temple was built near the entrance to Nantai-san, and was regarded as a shrine temple of Futaarasan Shrine. The main deity was enshrined in the Kannon Hall of the main temple, and statues of the Four Heavenly Kings, donated by Minamoto no Yoritomo, were also enshrined there.

At that time, Nikko was a place where women were not allowed to enter, and women could worship the principal image from the “Women’s Hall” located halfway up the Iroha slope.

In 1141 (Koji 1), Atsumitsu Fujiwara wrote “Chuzenji Private Record” and in 1315 (Showa 4), a large-scale construction project was undertaken by Nincho.

In 1872, the separation of Shinto and Buddhism took place, and Chuzenji became a branch temple of Rinnoji Temple. The prohibition of women was also lifted.

In 1902 (35th year of Meiji), the temple was rebuilt at its present location after being damaged by the Great Mountains Tsunami. Although the Kannon Hall was swept away on the lake at that time, the principal image floated unharmed on the lake and was enshrined in the present Kannon Hall.

In 1969, Godai Myoo-do Hall was constructed to commemorate the 1200th anniversary of the founding of the temple by Shodo Shonin.

Halls on the temple grounds

Main hall (Tachiki-kannon-do): A statue of Senju-kannon (eleven-faced thousand-armed Goddess of Mercy) is enshrined in this hall.
Naminori Daikokuten Hall: This hall enshrines Naminori Daikokuten. The hall enshrines Daikokuten, who appeared above the waves of Lake Chuzenji when Shodo Shonin opened Mount Nikko. The name “Daikokuten” means “running on the waves” and is believed to bring blessings such as easy childbirth and happy families.
Godaido: Five great Myoo statues are enshrined in this hall: Fudo Myoo, Kusansei Myoo, Gundari Myoo, Daideitoku Myoo, and Kongoyasha Myoo. On the ceiling, a painting called “Zuisho Ryu” (auspicious dragon) can be seen, as well as a painting of Nikko Hanazukuri (flower arrangement).
Aizendo: Aizome Myoo statue is enshrined in a small hall in front of the main hall. It is also known as the location for the movie “Aizen Katsura” and is believed to bring good luck in marriage.

Tachiki-Kannon (Standing Thousand-armed Kannon)

A standing wooden statue of Senju Kannon, designated as an important cultural property, is enshrined in the Tachiki-Kannon Hall. The statue is approximately 6 meters tall and was designated a National Treasure (now equivalent to an Important Cultural Property) in 1914 under the Law for the Preservation of Ancient Temples and Shrines.

According to legend, Shodo Shonin carved the statue on a standing tree during the Enryaku era (710-794), hence the name Tachiki-Kannon. It is said that he used the “Itto Sanreibori” method of carving, in which a sutra is read three times each time the chisel is inserted. The actual date of production, estimated from the style and technique, is the late Heian period.

This standing wooden statue of Kannon is carved from a single piece of katsura wood, with hands and other parts made from a combination of different materials.

In 1902, the statue was washed into Lake Chuzenji by a storm-driven tsunami on Mount Nantai, but miraculously surfaced three days later and was placed on the eastern shore of Lake Chuzenji. Since this event, it has been believed to have the power to overcome hardships and disasters, and has attracted many devotees.