Matsuo-dera is Japan’s oldest temple dedicated to warding off evil.
In 718, Prince Toneri (a son of Emperor Tenmu) was commanded to begin compiling the Nihon Shoki (Chronicles of Japan).
At that time, Prince Toneri was 42 years old, an age considered to be particularly unlucky. To protect him from misfortune and ensure the successful completion of the Nihon Shoki, a temple dedicated to warding off evil was established.
You are greeted by the wind deity and thunder deity.
This is the main hall.
Matsuo-dera is commonly called “Matsunou-san.”
By car, you can get very close to the main hall.
I used ink and a brush for the first time in a while.
The characters I wrote are “Yakujo”, which means “to have the deity take away our misfortunes.”
Matsuoyama Shrine located atop the five-story pagoda
Next to Matsuo-dera is the ancient path called “Nanamagari-michi” (Seven Curves Road).
This historic road was used by many people from Nara and Osaka in search of livelihood and spiritual fulfillment.
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