Shogenji Temple
The temple is said to be where Saicho was born on August 18th, 767. Originally the home of Saicho’s father, it was later converted to a temple. Images of Saicho’s parents, his father Mitsuno Obito Momoe and his mother Fujiwara no Toshi, are enshrined here. The main Buddha image is of the Eleven-Faced Kannon and said to have been carved by Ennin (794–864). The current main hall was rebuilt in 1595 by Senshun (1540–1600) and rebuilt in 1710.
A celebration is held here every year on August 17th–18th to commemorate Saicho’s birth. Water from a well on the temple grounds is said to have been used to bathe the newborn Saicho. Nearby is a mound where the afterbirth was buried, and there is also a stone coffin containing the pot used to boil the water when Saicho was born.
S: Sanskrit
Kannon (S. Avalokitesvara)