A temple with a long history, a rarity in Osaka.
It is the first ever state-sponsored temple in Japan built by order of Prince Shotoku (574-622) in 593. He was also a magnificent statesman who is revered by Japanese even today.
Shitennōji has been destroyed countless times by fire caused by wars, lightening, and typhoons, and reconstructed many times.
The current temple buildings were reconstructed from1957-1963 using the original architectural style, however, it was made with reinforced concrete.
The object of worship, or principal image, is Guze Kannon (Salvation Kannon).
There are several national treasures including the below; they are exhibited now and then.
The Lotus Sutra Booklet on a Fan (Senen Hokekyō Sasshi) is a precious work of art from the Heian period.
Shaped like a fan the booklet has richly colored sketches and a transcript of the Lotus Sutra over gold and silver leafs.
If you happen to visit around the 21st and 22nd of each month an antique market held on the temple grounds is buzzing with large crowds.
On January 14th of every year a festival called Dōyadōya – one of the 3 major strange festivals in Japan – is held.
Thought it’s held in the middle of winter, 600 high school boys are practically naked except for a traditional loincloth, or fundoshi, broken up into 2 teams of red and white to compete for an amulet used to avert evil.
This ritual has been going on from somewhere between the year 827-1200, it’s quite intense live.
