Jakko-in Temple in Ohara
Jakko-in, a nunnery of Tendai sect, is said to have been established in the year 594 by Shotoku-Taishi, or Crown Prince Shotoku, to pray for the soul of his late father, Emperor Yomei. The first abbess had been a wet nurse of the prince. The temple is dedicated to Rokumantai-Jizoson.
Jakko-in is well known as a place where Kenreimon-in lived in seclusion. Kenreimon-in Tokuko (1155－1213) was a daughter of Taira no Kiyomori (the chief of Heike clan, 1118-1181) and the consort of Emperor Takakura. She was rescued from her attempted suicide when the Heike clan was destroyed by Minamoto no Yoshitsune (a younger brother of the chief of Genji clan, 1159-1189) at the naval battle of Dan-no-ura. She lost her whole family including her eight-year-old son, Emperor Antoku, and she spent the rest of her life in the temple to pray for the souls of her family.
The main hall was set fire on May 9, 2000 and rebuilt in June 2005. The principal Buddhist image is also newly built and modeled the original image faithfully as well.
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| The gate of Jakko-in looked from the approach. The roof of the main hall
is seen through the gate May 5, 2006 |
The main hall. The principal Buddhist image and figures of Kenreimon-in
and her maid are installed in the hall. May 5, 2006 |
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| The belfry. May 5, 2006 |
The small precincts of the temple. May 5, 2006 |
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| Another view of the precincts. May 5, 2006 |
An iron lantern which was donated by Toyotomi Hideyoshi. May 5, 2006 |
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| Small water falls in the garden of the temple. May 5, 2006 |
A pond. May 5, 2006 |