The seventy-sixth temple is Konzō-ji (金倉寺), birthplace of Chishō Daishi, enshrining Yakushi Nyorai.
It lies about 3.9 km from the seventy-seventh temple, in the city of Zentsūji.
The entrance to Konzō-ji, like the temple before it, has Kongō Rikishi guardians standing on either side of the gate.
They make a sturdy, welcoming sight at the threshold.
The spacious grounds are beautifully kept, with a calm and serene atmosphere.
There is room here to slow down and breathe after the road.
This is the main hall, where Yakushi Nyorai is enshrined. It is a very large hall, and there were many other pilgrims and visitors about.
Chishō Daishi is said to have carved the image after his return from China.
At the Daishi-dō, a little smaller than the main hall, I chanted the Heart Sutra and prayed for the safety of my family and for peace in the world.
The shared bustle of fellow pilgrims gave the hall a warm energy.
Because the name Konzō-ji carries the character for “gold,” the temple is known for blessings of financial fortune. I gazed up at the great hall and offered a quiet wish.
It is a very human kind of hope to bring to a temple.
NFT – Crypto Ohenro #13 Goshuin of Konzō-ji（金倉寺） –
This is the goshuin of the seventy-sixth temple, Konzō-ji — plain in style, without any particular flourish.
Seventy-five temples still remained on my journey, the birthplace of Chishō Daishi now behind me.
The distance to the next temple was about 3.8 km, an easy walk on through Zentsūji.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the honzon (principal image) of Konzō-ji (Temple 76)?
The honzon (principal image) of Konzō-ji（金倉寺）, Temple 76 of the Shikoku 88 pilgrimage, is Yakushi Nyorai（薬師如来）. 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 Konzō-ji located?
Konzō-ji stands in Zentsūji, Kagawa Prefecture, in the old province of Sanuki, on the island of Shikoku, Japan. It is the seventy-sixth 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 Konzō-ji belong to?
Konzō-ji belongs to the Shingon Buddhism (Omuro school). Its mountain name (sangō), the traditional honorific title by which the temple is also known, is Keisokuzan Hōdō-in（鶏足山 宝幢院）.
When was Konzō-ji founded?
Konzō-ji was founded by Chishō Daishi (Enchin); named Konzō-ji in 928. Its history is closely tied to the early growth of the Shikoku pilgrimage.
Which temple comes after Konzō-ji, and how far is it?
The next temple on the route is Temple 77, Dōryū-ji (about 3.9 km). Walking in numerical order, pilgrims continue from Konzō-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.