In yesterday’s blog post about Toki no Kane, I wrote about how it leads to the Yakushi Shrine (Yakushi Jinja) was was previously known as Zuikousan Iou-in Jourenji Temple. The temple became known as Yakushi Jinja during the Meiji Restoration in 1868.
The standing statue of Yakushi Nyorai (Buddha of Medicine and Healing) is said to be made by Gyoki Bosatsu, a famous Japanese priest in the Nara Period (710-794). Many people come to this small shrine because it is said it will bring bountiful harvests, increase family fortune and healing of diseases.
It is believed to have divine power for recovery from eye diseases.
In 1623, Yakushi Shrine was relocated to the present location and due to the Shinto Butsuri (the separation of Shinto-Buddhism) and the shrine discontinued its service as a temple and became a shinto shrine.
Due to the Kawagoe Fire of 1893 (Meiji 26), only the Yakushi statue survived and the main shrine pavilion was destroyed and rebuilt the following year.
The following below is the monument “Koedo Kawagoe” and features the words from poet Saijo Yaso titled “Warera no Kawagoe”.
To the right of Yakushi Jinja is Inari Jinja, which is said to bring success in business, fortune and study.
While it’s a small shrine, there is a lot of history especially for its connection to the city of Kawagoe.
