Shikoku Pilgrimage | Temple 6 | Anraku-ji｜A Living Display of Craftsmanship in Buddhist Sculpture
Welcome back to our pilgrimage journey We are at Anraku-ji, the Sixth Temple located in Kamiita Town Tokushima Before us stands the Sanmon a blend of Ryūgū and Niō styles its guardians placed in separate side halls unique among the 88 temples The Niō statues, with rounded forms and fluid contours were carved by Kyoto master Matsumoto Myōkei Passing through the gate, on the right is the Temizuya (purification basin) On Saturdays the temple decorates it by floating flowers On the left of the approach stands a small shrine (jinja) with a garden Within it rises a tahōtō (treasure pagoda) enshrining the Five Wisdom Buddhas (Gochi Nyorai) Through the glass, visitors can glimpse their graceful fluid forms also carved by Master Sculptor Matsumoto Myōkei Beyond the garden stands the Worship Hall (Haiden) built in 1993 Its large roofed structure allows worshippers to pray in comfort even on rainy days The decorated beam modeled after the corridor style of Hōryū-ji is carved with episodes from the life of Kōbō Daishi and atop the roof stands a pair of golden phoenixes Inside the Worship Hall, two juvenile Kannon statues stand upon the Golden (Kin no) and Silver Springs (Gin no onsen) their forms plump and endearing Behind the Worship Hall lies the Main Hall rebuilt in 1963 after a devastating fire The principal image, Yakushi Nyorai (Medicine Buddha) was donated in 1962 by a couple after the wife, long afflicted with a back ailment completed the 88 Temple Pilgrimage was miraculously healed To the right of the Main Hall is the Daishi Hall enshrining Kōbō Daishi Aizen Myōō and Fudō Myōō Visitors may enter to venerate the Master and the two Myōō As with the other halls of the temple the Daishi Hall remains open to the public inviting devotees to draw nearer to the Buddhist teaching Leaving the Daishi Hall, we come upon a spring well Tradition holds that Kōbō Daishi discovered this sacred spring from which the temple’s mountain name Onsen-zan (Mountain of the Hot Spring) is derived Lastly, next to the spring is the Hōjō (abbot’s quarters) built in the late Edo period Its thatched roof (kaya-buki yane) was a donation from the Hachisuka clan the feudal lords of the domain It is the temple’s only Japan-designated Tangible Cultural Property This is Anraku-ji, the Sixth Temple of the pilgrimage The temple is renowned for its warm hospitality with the images in each hall open to the public All are works of the distinguished master Matsumoto Myōkei Known as the Busshi of the Heisei era Matsumoto Myōkei began his training at the age of 19 came to prominence at 35 after receiving the Kyoto Mayor’s Prize and at 46 was granted the honorific title of Daibbusshi Works by the master can be found in temples throughout Japan such as the Four Heavenly Kings (Shitennō) at the Chūmon of Kongōbu-ji the Eleven-faced Thousand-armed Kannon (Jūichimen Senju Kannon) at Kimiidera in Wakayama and the Great Seated Benzaiten at Saifuku-ji in Kagoshima Turning back to the temple itself its principal image the Daishi statue and the Five Wisdom Buddhas are all displayed for devotees to see Most of the Buddhist images within the precincts were carved by the Great Buddhist Sculptor A visit to the temple feels like entering an exhibition of his works Beyond its statues Anraku-ji has a long history of welcoming pilgrims Designated as a station temple (ekiroji) in the Momoyama period it has offered lodging to pilgrims since the late 16th century Its shukubō, with around 400 years of history offers visitors a rewarding experience of temple life In addition the second floor of the main gate （Sanmon) is a tsuyadō an overnight hall where pilgrims can stay This makes the temple along the pilgrimage especially noted for its spirit of generosity That concludes our visit to Anraku-ji the Sixth Temple of the pilgrimage Thank you for watching
Continue your journey on the Shikoku Pilgrimage with Temple No. 6 — Anraku-ji (安樂寺) in Kamiita, Tokushima.
Anraku-ji has long been a place of healing and hospitality for pilgrims.
In this episode, we explore the temple’s remarkable features—from the Ryūgū-style Sanmon gate with its guardian halls, to the tahōtō pagoda enshrining the Five Wisdom Buddhas. Many of the temple’s Buddhist images, including the Yakushi Nyorai (Medicine Buddha) and the Daishi statue, were carved by the acclaimed master sculptor Matsumoto Myōkei, earning Anraku-ji the reputation of a living exhibition of sacred art.
The temple also preserves a sacred spring, believed to have been discovered by Kōbō Daishi, and its shukubō guesthouse has welcomed travelers for over 400 years. Even today, pilgrims may stay overnight in the Sanmon’s tsuyadō hall, a rare tradition that continues the temple’s legacy of compassion and openness.
Discover how Anraku-ji unites artistry, devotion, and centuries of hospitality, offering pilgrims not only a place of worship but also a sanctuary of healing and cultural heritage.