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Gyoki, a venerable priest, founded Jimmuji on top of the Jimmuji Mountain in Zushi city in the 8th century . It has worshipped Yakushi-nyorai as the principal icon
in a deep forest for a long time. Nyorai is a person who has attained Buddhahood. They believe that Yakushi-nyorai
saves people from diseases.
The statue is sitting on a lotus flower with a smile and a medicine bottle.
The Nyorai has two attendant statues on each side. They are Nikko(sunshine)-kannon and Gakko(moonlight)-kannon standing on lotus flowers. Kannon means the God of Mercy who is on the way to be Buddha. These three wooden sculptures were made in the middle of the 15th century, and have been closed to the public for ages. |
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The present Yakushi-do was probably built at the end of the16th century. This structure has both Chinese and Japanese styles of building.
It is designated as an important cultural property by Kanagawa prefecture.
It will be open to the public in the morning on December 13. You can see the above Buddha images in the Yakushi-do at that time. |
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Fudo-myoo is a god of esoteric Buddhism who punishes the wicked against the teachings of Buddha. This wooden sculpture was made several hundred years ago. He is standing on a rock with a sword in his right hand, a lasso in his left hand and a flame on his back. Most Buddhist images have calm and peaceful faces, but Fudo-myoo has a fierce look in his eyes. Senju-kannon is the goddess of mercy, who has one thousand hands on her back, actually forty hands in the case of this picture. She has all sorts of tools on each hand to help all people in pain. It was painted in the 14th century. These two properties are currently in the Kamakura National Treasure Museum's safe keeping. |
| There are three ways leading to Jimmuji-Takatoriyama hiking trail: from JR Higashi-zushi station, Keikyu Jimmuji station and Oppama station. You can enjoy ridge walking and viewing a variety of plants there. It takes about an hour and a half.
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