Eigenji Temple

Eigen-ji Temple is the head temple of the Eigen-ji branch of the Rinzai Zen school, located upstream along the Echi River and founded during the Nanboku-cho period. At its height, under the patronage of Sasaki Ujiyori, a lord of Omi, as many as 2,000 trainee monks are said to have gathered here. However, during an era of ongoing conflict, the temple buildings and sub-temples were burned down, leading to decline. The temple structures that remain today were rebuilt in the mid-Edo period. The main hall’s large roof is thatched with Lake Biwa reeds (yoshi), making it one of Japan’s most substantial reed-thatched buildings. Enshrined inside is the principal image, Yotsugi Kannon, which is normally kept as a hidden Buddha and cannot be viewed directly. According to tradition, the statue was found in the mountains by the Zen master Jakushitsu and brought back to the temple. A long-standing legend tells of someone who prayed nightly for a child and was granted an heir, giving rise to belief in Yotsugi Kannon as a deity of succession and prosperity. The nearest station is Yokaichi Station on the Ohmi Railway. From there, take a bus and get off at "Eigenji-mae," which is right nearby.