Kurikarafudo-ji

This is the special head temple of Koyasan Shingon Sect. In 718, Emperor Gensho invited Reverend Zenmui from India, who carved Kurishaka Fudo Myo-o and dedicated it, which is believed to be the beginning of this temple. Kurishaka means in Sanskrit the Acala with a black dragon wrapping his sword. The rear hall that keeps the statue is opened every seven years and a grand ceremony is dedicated. Reverend Kobo is said to have dedicated the ceremony to the Fudo statue in 812. Currently, it is kept in the main hall.

On the premises at the top of a mountain, Fudo Temple’s main hall, rear hall, five-layered tower, Wako Tower, etc stand. The two sticks near the rear hall are believed to ward off bad luck when you chant holy words and shake down the sticks three times. On the premises, there are also Choraku Temple’s ruins, four of 33 Kannon statues transferred from a roadside of Kurishaka Pass, Oman Jizo, local deity statues, known in Oman mythology, etc.

Ho-o Hall was built in 1998 to restore seven major halls which are believed to have been built by Reverend Kobo and twelve temples. This grand wooden architecture in Heian Period’s Shinden-zukuri style spans 75m from right to left in a sublime ambience.