Hōzan-ji


Hozan-ji is a Buddhist temple in Monzenmachi, Ikoma, Nara, Japan. It is also called 'Ikoma-Shoten' (生駒聖天）.

History

The area around Hozan-ji was originally a place for the training of Buddhist monks. The name of the place at that time was Daisho-Mudo-ji.
Mount Ikoma was originally an object of worship for the ancient people in the region, and so this area was selected as a place for religious training. The training area is said to have opened in 655 by En no Gyōja. Many Buddhist monks, including Kukai, are said to have trained in here.
Hozan-ji started when Tankai re-opened this training area in the 17th century. Tankai set up a statue of Kankiten at this place in 1678, the official year Hozan-ji was established.
In the Edo period, this temple was one of the most popular Buddhist temples in this region.

Cultural properties

This temple has Important Cultural Properties selected by the Japanese government.