Daisho kannon-ji Temple

Abikosan Daisho Kannonji, commonly called Abiko Kannon, is the oldest Kanzeon Bosatsu temple in Japan. The Yosami no Abiko clan who lived here long ago were given a Kannon image one sun eight bu tall, about 8 cm, by King Seong of Baekje, and founded the temple in the seventh year of Emperor Kinmei (546). Prince Shotoku is then said to have received a revelation from Kannon, and Abikosan Kannonji was built. In the Edo period the temple prospered to the point of having 36 subtemples in its grounds, but a fire in Meiji 14 (1881) destroyed them along with many of its treasures. It was rebuilt in Meiji 23 (1890). At the Setsubun Yakuyoke Daihoe held on 3 February each year the Sho Kannon is opened to view, and the temple fills with people praying for protection from misfortune, for good luck and health, and for their wishes to be granted.

Translated from the Osaka Prefecture and Osaka City tourist listings (観光施設一覧, CC BY 4.0).