Overview
Shusshaka-ji is a temple of the Omuro school of Shingon Buddhism located in Zentsūji City, Kagawa Prefecture. Its mountain name is Gahaishi-zan and its cloister name is Gumonji-in. The principal image is Shaka Nyorai (Śākyamuni Buddha), and the temple is the 73rd sacred site of the Shikoku Pilgrimage of eighty-eight temples.
Highlights
- ●The main hall enshrining the principal image, Shaka Nyorai
- ●Its status as the 73rd sacred site of the Shikoku 88-temple pilgrimage
- ●The mountain name Gahaishi-zan and cloister name Gumonji-in
- ●Related sacred sites such as the Oku-no-in's Shashin-ga-take ruins and the Awashima and Hiruko shrines
History
As one of the eighty-eight temples of the Shikoku Pilgrimage, Shusshaka-ji has its own honzon mantra and a devotional pilgrimage verse (goeika) that have been passed down and are recited by pilgrims. Its temple stamp (nōkyō-in) records not only the principal image of the main hall but also several related sites of worship: the ruins of Shashin-ga-take at the Oku-no-in (inner sanctuary), the deity Ebisu venerated in the Shichikasho pilgrimage, the Awashima and Hiruko shrines at the Oku-no-in, and Kuebiko, known by the alternate name of the 'scarecrow of Yamada.' The full historical connections among these are not detailed in currently available sources, but they show that the temple's precincts extend well beyond the main hall to include the Oku-no-in.
Access
The temple stands within Zentsūji City and is visited by many pilgrims as part of the Shikoku Pilgrimage route. Those planning to visit outlying sites such as the Shashin-ga-take ruins at the Oku-no-in should allow extra time and distance, and are encouraged to confirm the latest route information through official Shikoku pilgrimage associations before setting out.
Best season
The Shikoku Pilgrimage is undertaken year-round, but spring and autumn, when strong sun and heat are less of a concern, are generally considered comfortable seasons for both walking pilgrims and general visitors. In midsummer, precautions against heatstroke are advisable, while winter visitors should dress warmly and take care with footing.
Map
34.2194, 133.7503 · Wikidata
Suggested itinerary
- 1Head to the main hall of Shusshaka-ji from central Zentsūji
- 2Recite the honzon mantra and goeika verse while worshipping Shaka Nyorai
- 3If time allows, continue on to the Oku-no-in's Shashin-ga-take ruins
- 4Carry on the pilgrimage to the next of the Shikoku 88 temples
Did you know?
💡 The temple's goeika verse speaks of Shaka Nyorai appearing from a sacred mountain to save the beings lost in the six realms of existence, expressing devotion to a Buddha who rescues those in confusion. The fact that Kuebiko, listed among the temple's stamp sites, is also known as the 'scarecrow of Yamada' hints at the variety of objects of worship connected to this temple.
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