Shigisanji Temple｜Tiger Symbol & Bishamonten Blessings

This photo shows the view from the Shigi-Ohashi Bridge at the entrance, looking toward the Kaiun Bridge, which spans the Daimon Dam.
The structure in the center of the bridge is a bungee jump platform, and Shigi Mountain is on the right.

The Kaiun Bridge is a 106-meter-long steel bridge.
Built using the “cantilever” method, it was completed in 1931. Very few bridges of this type, constructed before World War II, remain, making this Japan’s oldest cantilever bridge.
It has been designated as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property of Japan.
A “cantilever” structure has one side fixed, while the other extends outward without additional support, similar to a jumping platform.

we enter the temple grounds from the parking lot.

This is a layout of the temple grounds.
The main hall is on the right, Hozoin is on the left, and the Kuhatsu Goho-do (Shigi Mountain Summit) is at the center top.

The Kaizan Hall houses the principal images of the 88 temples of Shikoku.

On the right side of the approach is Kengai Goho Hall. It enshrines Kengai Doji. According to tradition, Kengai Doji appeared at the bedside of Emperor Godaigo, who was gravely ill, in response to the prayers of a high priest, and the emperor’s illness was miraculously cured.
He is revered as a powerful deity of good health and recovery from illness, and people have strong faith in him.

This is the approach to Kengai Goho Hall.
It is lined with donated torii gates.

Kengai Goho Hall

On the side of the approach is the Great Tora, known as the “World’s Luckiest Tora.”

It is said that Prince Shotoku sensed and realized Bishamonten on the tiger year, tiger day, and at the hour of the tiger.
Therefore, at Shigi Mountain, tiger years and tiger days are designated as special festival days, during which grand ceremonies are held.

Statue of Prince Shotoku

Sacred Tree: Kaya Tree
This sacred tree is estimated to be 1,500 years old.
Since Prince Shotoku was active about 1,400 years ago, this tree has witnessed the changes in the world since that time.

The “Tiger Mailbox” found on the temple grounds.

Gyokuzoin is cherished as a prayer temple and also has lodging facilities for visitors.

Tahoto (Two-Storied Pagoda)

The main hall is coming into view.
There is a chozuya (purification fountain) on the left.

This is the purification basin. Behind it, there are containers for holding water to be offered at the Kuhatsu Goho-do. Water is poured here before visiting the Kuhatsu Goho-do for worship.

This is the main hall.
The view of the Nara Basin from the stage is beautiful.

Shigi Mountain is the sacred site where Bishamonten first appeared in Japan.
It serves as the head temple of Bishamonten worship.

The Kaidan Meguri allows visitors to explore the underground of the main hall.
You can navigate through the pitch-black passage by feeling your way along the wall with your right hand.

This view faces slightly east of Shigi Mountain, toward Horyuji temple.
In the distance, we can see the mountains called “Aogaki-yama,” which stretch to the east of the Nara Basin.

Looking west from the stage, you can see Shigi Mountain.
After this, we will head to the Kuhatsu Goho-do at the mountain summit.

I filled the container with plenty of water.
Since the Kuhatsu Goho-do is located at the mountain summit, there is no water available there. Visitors fill their containers with water, climb up, and offer it at the shrine. After the offering, the water is poured into a large bucket, and the empty container is brought back to this spot.

This is the approach to the Kuhatsu Goho-do.

Entrance to the Kuhatsu Goho-do

Legend of Kuhatsu Goho
A wealthy but greedy man lived in Yamazaki, Kyoto. To teach him a lesson, Myoren Shonin of Shigi Mountain performed a miracle. He placed a storehouse filled with the man’s money on top of an empty bowl. Miraculously, the bowl lifted into the air and flew away high into the sky.

The man pleaded for the return of his storehouse and reflected on how greedy he had been. Myoren Shonin, filled with compassion, explained the futility of being attached to wealth and returned the storeroom to him. Afterward, the man is said to have engaged in charitable acts and performed good deeds.

This is Kuhatsu Goho-do.
I offered water here.

This is the view to the southeast.
Kuhatsu Goho-do is located at the summit of the majestic peak (Odake) of Shigi Mountain.

This is the view to the south, facing Mount Nijo, Katsuragi, and Kongo Mountain.

Several hundred years ago, there was a castle on the mountain.

The summit of Medake (elevation 399 meters).
By the way, the elevation of Odake is 437 meters.

Shigi Castle expanded approximately 550 meters east to west and 700 meters north to south.

In 1559, Matsunaga Hisahide, a loyal retainer of Miyoshi Nagayoshi, took control of the castle and established it as a base for governing Yamato Province.
In 1577, Matsunaga Hisahide faced off against Oda Nobunaga and took refuge in Shigi Castle, where he ultimately committed suicide after being attacked by Nobunaga’s forces. At that time, it is said that a main keep (tenshu) existed at the summit of Shigi Mountain.

There is a famous episode involving Matsunaga Hisahide’s prized tea kettle, known as Hiragumo.
In 1577, when Shigi Castle was besieged by Oda Nobunaga’s army, Nobunaga urged Hisahide to surrender and requested the Hiragumo tea kettle, promising that Hisahide’s life would be spared if he complied. However, Hisahide refused and, during the fall of the castle, smashed the tea kettle with his own hands before taking his life. (The authenticity of this story is uncertain.)

Heading west from Shigi Mountain, you’ll find the ruins of Takayasu Castle in Osaka Prefecture.

The “Nihon Shoki” mentions, “In Yamato Province, Takayasu Castle; in Sanuki Province, Yashima Castle; and in Tsushima Province, Kaneda Castle were built.”
In 663, during the Battle of Hakusukinoe on the Korean Peninsula, the Japanese army dispatched to save Baekje suffered a major defeat against the Tang and Silla coalition forces.
In preparation for potential invasions by Tang, Emperor Tenji fortified the area by constructing these three castles.

Takayasu Mountain stands at an elevation of 487 meters and marks the boundary between Nara and Osaka Prefectures.
The Yamato River flows to the south of the mountain, and this region served as a vital route from Osaka to Nara (Yamato).
From Takayasu Mountain, we can see a panoramic view of the Osaka Plain, Osaka Bay, and the Nara Basin.

These are the foundation stones of the Takayasu Castle storeroom.

The summit of Takayasu Mountain.