Shikoku Pilgrimage Temple: No. 9 Hōrin-ji

Hōrin-ji Main Gate

Hōrin-ji: The only temple among the 88 pilgrimage sites whose principal deity is the reclining Buddha (Nehanbutsu)

  • Name: Shōkaku-zan Bodai-in Hōrin-ji
  • Main Deity: Shaka Nyorai in Nirvana (Reclining Buddha)
  • Goeika (Pilgrimage Song):
  • May the sacred teaching spread and flourish,
  • For those who hear, it becomes the bond of the Turning of the Dharma Wheel.

Access From Temple No. 8 (Kumadani-ji):

  • On Foot: Walk back along the approach road. From the Awa City Donari Branch Office, continue along paved country roads through peaceful farmland. You’ll find “Shikoku-no-Michi” (Shikoku Pilgrimage Route) signs along the way. Approx. 2.3 km / 40 minutes.
  • 　
  • By Car: Take Prefectural Route 139. Much of the route follows the same path as the walking pilgrims. Approx. 2.5 km / 5 minutes.　
  • 　
  • Public Transport: None available for this section.

A Temple Surrounded by Rice Fields

Hōrin-ji stands in a tranquil rural landscape. Approaching from Temple No. 8, Kumadani-ji, you will see the temple as a small forested grove rising gently amid wide rice fields. There are few houses or people around, adding to the peaceful atmosphere.

It is said that this temple originally stood north of its present location. According to legend, Kōbō Daishi met a sacred white snake—an incarnation of a Buddhist deity—at this site and founded the temple. Formerly known as Byakujazan Hōrin-ji (White Snake Mountain Hōrin-ji), it was destroyed by fire during the Warring States period in attacks led by Chōsokabe Motochika. The temple was rebuilt at its current location during the Shōhō era (1644–1648), when it also received its present name. Even after being relocated, the temple suffered further fires, and the buildings visible today were reconstructed during the Meiji period.

The Reclining Buddha Attributed to Kōbō Daishi

The principal image of Hōrin-ji is a reclining statue of Shaka Nyorai, approximately 80 cm in length.
It depicts the Buddha at the moment of his Nirvana (Nyūmetsu)—when he passed away under the twin sal trees at the age of 80. The figure lies on its right side with the head to the north, the traditional pose of the reclining Buddha. It is said that the statue miraculously survived several fires, being carried to safety each time. Though normally hidden from view, the image is revealed to the public once every five years during a special ceremony.

A Temple Courtyard with a Garden

The temple grounds are enclosed by earthen walls, and the gate—also serving as a bell tower—bears a plaque inscribed “Shōkaku-zan.” Passing through the gate, visitors walk along a stone-paved path cutting through a neatly raked sand garden. Straight ahead stands the Main Hall, and to the right, connected by a corridor, is the Daishi Hall. In early summer, the azaleas bloom beautifully around the precincts.

Hōrin-ji_Main Hall

According to legend, in ancient times, a pilgrim with difficulty walking entered the temple grounds and suddenly found his legs light and strong again, able to walk without a cane. Because of this story, Hōrin-ji is known as a temple for prayers for strong legs and good health. At the nokyōsho (temple office), visitors can obtain a “Kenkyaku” charm in the shape of a straw sandal, symbolizing prayers for healthy legs and safe walking.

“Kenkyaku” charm in the shape of a straw sandal

DATA

Address: 198-2 Tanaka, Donari-chō, Awa City, Tokushima Prefecture
Phone: 088-695-2080
Access: About 1 hour 30 minutes on foot or 15 minutes by car from JR Kamojima Station.
Parking: Available (free)
Lodging: None

Your Pilgrimage, Your Art

Completing the Shikoku Pilgrimage is a once-in-a-lifetime journey—but what if you could preserve it in a form that lasts forever?

Many pilgrims collect red stamps and calligraphy from each temple on a special silk scroll called a nōkyōjiku.

This sacred record of your path can be transformed into a kakejiku—a traditional Japanese hanging scroll—not only preserving the memories, but turning them into a work of cultural and spiritual art.

It’s more than a souvenir—it’s a way to honor your journey, your prayers, and your growth.

To learn more about how a nōkyōjiku becomes a kakejiku, and what makes this transformation so meaningful, please refer the below link.


Your Shikoku Pilgrimage, Your Art: Make Your Journey a Kakejiku, Japanese Traditional Scroll Art – ART NOMURA
What is the Shikoku Pilgrimage? Shikoku’s 88-Temple Pilgrimage (Shikoku Hachijūhakkasho Henro) is a sacred rou … Continue reading Your Shikoku Pilgrimage, Your Art: Make Your Journey a Kakejiku, Japanese Traditional Scroll Art →
 

 

 

Contact Us

Please fill out the form below and submit for your inquiry.

❈FirstName
❈LastName
Country
❈E-mail
（❈Confirm E-mail）
❈Inquiry category Question
Consultation
Impression
Request
Others
❈Comment

❈ is the mark for required item.

   

Your privacy is important to us. We are committed to protecting your privacy.

(or press ESC or click the overlay)

CEO Message

Our Feelings For Kakejiku

 The Japanese people have long set a high value on aesthetic senses since ancient times. As a result, the
peculiar culture which is not seen in other countries blossomed and many aspects of the modern Japanese
culture come from it. Parts of Japanese culture has been introduced to people in other countries recently,
so the number of people from other countries who are interested in Japanese culture has been increasing.
However, the Japanese aesthetic senses, which are the bases of Japanese culture, have been nurtured
through a long history, intertwining various elements intricately, such as climate, geographical features,
religion, customs and so on. Therefore, they are very difficult to understand not only for people from other
countries, but even for the Japanese people. I think the best tool which conveys these difficult senses
understandably is a “kakejiku.”
 The kakejiku (a hanging scroll; a work of calligraphy or a painting which is mounted and hung in an
alcove or on a wall) is a traditional Japanese art. It's no exaggeration to say that paintings are what
express aesthetic senses at all times and places. The kakejiku is an art which expresses the Japanese
aesthetic senses. The kakejiku has long been used in traditional Japanese events, daily life and so on since
ancient times. As a result, there are various customs of kakejiku in Japan; kakejiku and the life of the
Japanese are closely related. We can see Japanese values through kakejiku.
 The kakejiku is a cultural tradition which the Japanese people should be proud of. However, many people
in other countries don't know much about it because it hasn't been showcased as much. This is why I
decided to try to introduce it. The kakejiku world is very interesting and beautiful. We want not only the
Japanese, but also many people from other countries to know and enjoy it. I hope that many people will
love kakejiku someday.

(or press ESC or click the overlay)
Company Profile
syaoku.jpg(120220 byte)

Name Art Nomura

President Tatsuji Nomura

Founded1973

Established1992

Address7-23 Babadori, Tarumi-ku, Kobe city,
Hyougo Prefecture, 655-0021, Japan


Capital10 million yen

URLhttp://nomurakakejiku.com

Our Business

 Art Nomura is an art dealer which produces kakejiku (hanging scrolls). We mount many paintings and calligraphic works in kakejiku in my factory. Kakejiku are our main product. We also remount and repair old or damaged kakejiku. We share the traditional Japanese art of kakejiku with people all over the world.


(or press ESC or click the overlay)
Access Map

Access Map

 The Japanese people have long set a high value on aesthetic senses since ancient times. As a result, the
peculiar culture which is not seen in other countries blossomed and many aspects of the modern Japanese
culture come from it. Parts of Japanese culture has been introduced to people in other countries recently,
so the number of people from other countries who are interested in Japanese culture has been increasing.
However, the Japanese aesthetic senses, which are the bases of Japanese culture, have been nurtured
through a long history, intertwining various elements intricately, such as climate, geographical features,
religion, customs and so on. Therefore, they are very difficult to understand not only for people from other
countries, but even for the Japanese people. I think the best tool which conveys these difficult senses
understandably is a “kakejiku.”
 The kakejiku (a hanging scroll; a work of calligraphy or a painting which is mounted and hung in an
alcove or on a wall) is a traditional Japanese art. It's no exaggeration to say that paintings are what
express aesthetic senses at all times and places. The kakejiku is an art which expresses the Japanese
aesthetic senses. The kakejiku has long been used in traditional Japanese events, daily life and so on since
ancient times. As a result, there are various customs of kakejiku in Japan; kakejiku and the life of the
Japanese are closely related. We can see Japanese values through kakejiku.
 The kakejiku is a cultural tradition which the Japanese people should be proud of. However, many people
in other countries don't know much about it because it hasn't been showcased as much. This is why I
decided to try to introduce it. The kakejiku world is very interesting and beautiful. We want not only the
Japanese, but also many people from other countries to know and enjoy it. I hope that many people will
love kakejiku someday.

(or press ESC or click the overlay)