Inunakisan-Shipporyuji Temple

Shippōryū-ji Temple is the head temple of the Shingon-shū Inunaki-ha sect, located deep in the mountains of Inunaki-san in Izumisano City, Osaka Prefecture. Said to have been founded about 1,300 years ago by En no Gyōja, it is known as Japan’s oldest training ground for shugendō ascetic practice. Unlike Ōmine-san, which traditionally prohibits women, Inunaki-san allows women to undertake training as well. The temple grounds feature a huge statue of Fudō Myōō, numerous small shrines, and many Buddhist statues. In the mountains, the Inunaki River flows past a total of seven waterfalls and training sites, including the “Gyōja no Taki.” In the time of Emperor Uda, a famous “faithful dog” legend arose at Inunaki-san: a hunter, angered because a barking dog caused a deer he was about to shoot to escape, beheaded the dog. The dog’s head then leapt up and bit a giant snake that was about to attack the hunter, saving his life. Struck with remorse after realizing the dog had protected him, the hunter became a monk at Shippōryū-ji and held memorial services for the dog. Moved by the story, Emperor Uda is said to have ordered the mountain’s name to be changed to “Inunaki-san.” A grave for the loyal dog can still be found along the approach to the temple.