Motoyamaji Temple 70, Shikoku

The most distinctive feature of Motoyamaji is its five-storied pagoda. It is one of four five-storied pagodas at Shikoku Pilgrimage temples: this temple, Chikurinji, Shidoji, and Zentsuji. It was built in 950, but was severely damaged in modern times and rebuilt in 1910. 

Motoyamaji is the only temple on the Shikoku Pilgrimage where the principal image is Bato Kannon Bosatsu (Hayagriva). He has a horse’s head as his head, and a horse statue stands near the Hondo where the principle image is enshrined.

Kobo Daishi founded this temple in 807 as the 70th temple in the Shikoku Pilgrimage by order of Emperor Heijo. At that time, the temple was called Chofukuji. A legend tells that Kobo Daishi built the Hondo in one night. 

The vast, 20,000-square-meter grounds include the Hondo (National Treasure), Niomon gate, five-storied pagoda, Chinjudo, Daishido, Juodo, Akado (Dainichido), Ireido, the bell tower, and the Kyakuden, all of which are reminders of the temple’s glory days as a large temple.

During the Tensho era (1592-1598), soldiers from Chosokabe’s army attacked the head priest inside the Hondo and blood fell from the right hand of the statue of Amida Nyorai (Buddha of limitless light and life), a statue next to the main image. 

The temple avoided destruction because the warriors were surprised and ran away. This Amida Nyorai is called Tachiuke no Amida (Amida Nyorai receiving a sword). Since that time, the institutional name of the temple has been changed to Honzanji.

Motoyamaji is its five-storied pagoda