Jison-in temple

The place is known to be where Kukai’s mother passed away. It is said that Kukai had enshrined a Mikuro Bosatsu statue on her cemetery. It is also called the “Nyonin Koya” which was introduced in Sawako Ariyoshi’s novel “Kinokawa” as a temple where women prayed for safe delivery and dedicate breast models made of cloth. The ritual still continues to this day.

Jison-in Temple was founded as a base at the foot of the mountain when Kukai founded Koyasan and has been improved over the years as Koyasan expanded. It is also known as the “Takano Mandokoro” that managed all the temples of Koyasan. The Mirokudo (Important Cultural Property) on the premise of the temple was built during the Kamakura and Muromachi era, and the wooden Mirokunyorai-zazo (National Treasure) is enshrined here.

 Also, it is said that the hall of the Mirokudo had been moved to this current place from the riverbanks of Kinokawa from fear of flood damage in 1469-87.

The tsuijibei (wall made of mud) is a Prefectural Designated Cultural Asset which was built after the move. The styles from the Takano Mandokoro period can be seen here along with the north gate which is also a Prefectural Designated Cultural Asset. You can also see a Taho-to (a two-storied pagoda) which was rebuilt in 1624 at the temple.