Fuku-in Temple (不空院)
Fuku-in Temple, located at Takahata, Nara City in Nara Prefecture, is the temple of Shingon Ritsu sect of Buddhism. Its sango (literally, "mountain name"), which is the title prefixed to the name of a Buddhist temple, is Shunnichisan. Another name is Fukui no Daishi. Its principal image is the statue of Fukukensaku Kannon (The Deity of Mercy).
History
The temple was founded at the site previously used by Ganjin as a lodge and is a very historic temple for having commandment lectures from such famous priests as Enson, Ensei, Kakujo and Ukon during the Kamakura period. The temple was designated as the prayer hall of Daijo-in Temple in the Muromachi period. The temple has attracted many geiko (professional female entertainers) in Naramachi as a 'kakekomi-dera' (refuge temple) since Benzaiten (the Goddess of Music and Art) was enshrined in the main hall, and the temple has another name Fuku (fortune)-in Temple.
Temple precinct
The mausoleum of Empress Inoue
The shrine of matchmaking
The shrine that gives sanctuary to runaway wives
The foundation stone of Hakkakuendo (destroyed by the Ansei Great Earthquake in 1854) which was a model of the Nanendo in Kofuku-ji Temple when Kukai built it in 813.
Cultural Property
Important Cultural Property (designated by the nation)
The wooden seated Statue of Fukukensaku Kannon (Deity of Mercy) has gyokugan (jade Buddhist eyes) with lacquered leaf and it is 103.9 cm in height and made in the Kamakura period.
Address
1365 Takahatacho, Nara City in Nara Prefecture 630-8301
Access
10 minutes' ride from Nara Station to 'Wariishicho' by the city loop-line bus and 10 minutes' walk
Surrounding area
Shin Yakushi-ji Temple
The former residence of Naoya SHIGA