The eightieth temple is Sanuki Kokubun-ji (讃岐国分寺), the old provincial temple of Sanuki, enshrining an Eleven-Headed Thousand-Armed Kannon.
It lies about 6.5 km from the eighty-first temple, in Takamatsu.
At the entrance, a branch of pine reaches out before the gate, making a lovely welcome.
It is a fitting prelude to the temple’s graceful, pine-filled grounds.
The path leading inward from the old-fashioned gate has a quietly fantastical atmosphere.
Walking it, you feel drawn back into an older age.
The temple grounds are spacious and beautiful, and the pines suit the place wonderfully.
Ancient foundation stones here recall the grand scale of the original Nara-period temple.
There is also a pond, lending the grounds a wonderful ambiance.
Its still water mirrors the pines and sky, deepening the calm.
Pilgrims apply gold leaf to a stone statue of Kōbō Daishi to have their wishes fulfilled — much as one sees on the great Buddha images of Thailand.
The gilded figure gleams with the hopes of countless visitors.
This is the main hall, where the Eleven-Headed Thousand-Armed Kannon is enshrined.
I offered incense and recited the sutra before this provincial temple’s ancient Kannon.
A little smaller, this is the Daishi-dō. As I recited the Heart Sutra I prayed for the safety of my family and for peace in the world.
The quiet grandeur of the grounds gave the prayer a settled calm.
NFT – Crypto Ohenro #09 Goshuin of Sanuki Kokubun-ji（讃岐国分寺） –
This is the goshuin of the eightieth temple, Sanuki Kokubun-ji — winding characters that look almost like a living creature.
Seventy-nine temples still remained on my journey, the fine old pines of the grounds at my back.
The distance to the next temple was about 6.6 km, a pleasant walk toward the sacred mountains.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the honzon (principal image) of Sanuki Kokubun-ji (Temple 80)?
The honzon (principal image) of Sanuki Kokubun-ji（讃岐国分寺）, Temple 80 of the Shikoku 88 pilgrimage, is Jūichimen Senju Kanzeon Bosatsu（十一面千手観世音菩薩）. It is enshrined in the temple's main hall (hondō), where pilgrims offer incense, recite the Heart Sutra, and receive the temple's goshuin (hand-brushed seal).
Where is Sanuki Kokubun-ji located?
Sanuki Kokubun-ji stands in Takamatsu, Kagawa Prefecture, in the old province of Sanuki, on the island of Shikoku, Japan. It is the eightieth of the eighty-eight temples of the Shikoku Henro, the circular Buddhist pilgrimage walked in the path of Kōbō Daishi (Kūkai).
Which Buddhist sect does Sanuki Kokubun-ji belong to?
Sanuki Kokubun-ji belongs to the Shingon Buddhism (Omuro school). Its mountain name (sangō), the traditional honorific title by which the temple is also known, is Hakugyūzan Senju-in（白牛山 千手院）.
When was Sanuki Kokubun-ji founded?
Sanuki Kokubun-ji was founded as Sanuki’s provincial temple under Emperor Shōmu’s 741 edict. Its history is closely tied to the early growth of the Shikoku pilgrimage.
Which temple comes after Sanuki Kokubun-ji, and how far is it?
The next temple on the route is Temple 81, Shiromine-ji (about 6.5 km). Walking in numerical order, pilgrims continue from Sanuki Kokubun-ji to keep visiting each of the 88 temples and collecting their goshuin.
📖 See the full list of all 88 Shikoku temples →
Can’t make the pilgrimage yourself?Ohenro Gift can walk the 88 temples on your behalf (daisan) and deliver the completed nokyocho.