Aizendo Shomanin Temple

Aizendō Shōman-in Temple is a Washū sect Buddhist temple located in Tennōji Ward, Osaka City. It was founded in 593 by Prince Shōtoku as the “Seiyakuin,” one of the four sub-temples of Shitennōji. A Seiyakuin was a welfare facility based on the Buddhist ideal of compassion, where medicinal herbs were cultivated and given to those suffering from illness. The name “Shōman-in” is said to have come from enshrining a statue of Lady Śrīmālā (Shōman), who appears in Buddhist scriptures, in the main hall. The principal deity is Aizen Myōō, a type of Wisdom King regarded as a protector of the Buddhist teachings. Because Aizen Myōō is believed to grant blessings for love and romantic fulfillment, the temple is affectionately known to locals as “Aizen-san.” The grounds feature the Kondō (main hall) dedicated to Aizen-san, the Tahōtō pagoda—an important Momoyama-period masterpiece rebuilt by Toyotomi Hideyoshi and designated an Important Cultural Property of Japan—and “Aizenme no Reisui,” sacred water said to bring success in love, making it especially popular with young women. Every year, the Aizen Festival—known as one of Osaka’s three major summer festivals alongside the Tenjin Festival and Sumiyoshi Festival—is held from June through July 2, drawing around 200,000 visitors during this period.