The Eleven-faced Kannon statue was originally housed in the Daigoden hall of Omiwa Shrine.
The temple features a rare 8th-century dry-lacquer statue of the Eleven-faced Kannon that survived the separation of Shinto and Buddhism.
It is historically associated with the protection of the Miwa mountain range.
The temple contains an extensive collection of Buddhist art that reflects the stylistic shift from the Nara to the early Heian period.
Shorin-ji is a Shingon-shu Chisan-ha temple in Sakurai, Nara, renowned for its collection of Nara-period Buddhist statues, particularly the dry-lacquer Eleven-faced Kannon. The temple was originally established as a sub-temple of Omiwa Shrine during the Nara period before separating during the Meiji era's shinbutsu bunri policy. It houses several Important Cultural Properties of Japan, including statues of Bishamonten, Kichijoten, and Benzaiten. The main hall, or Hondo, preserves traditional architectural elements and serves as the primary repository for the temple's sacred treasures. Visitors walk through a modest, serene temple complex located at the foot of Mount Miwa. It is widely recognized as one of the significant locations along the Yamanobe-no-michi, one of Japan's oldest paths.
The entrance gate and the exterior of the temple main hall, framed by the seasonal trees.
Bring a pair of easy-to-slip-on socks, as you will be required to remove your shoes to enter the treasure hall.
Incorporate this visit as part of a hike along the Yamanobe-no-michi trail for the full experience.
Consult the temple's official website prior to arrival, as private rituals or maintenance may occasionally limit access to specific exhibition areas.
Attempting to photograph the interior statues, which is strictly prohibited to preserve the integrity of the artifacts.
Remove shoes before entering temple buildings; silence is expected inside the exhibition hall; do not photograph the Buddhist statues.
