Nikko National Park - Rinnoji Temple

The Rinnoji Temple of the Tendai sect was probably founded in 848 by a priest named Ennin (794-864) and modeled on a temple on the sacred mountain, Mount Hiei. The Abbot's Lodging (Hombo) and its garden can be seen by previous appointment. In the main hall, the Sambutsu-do (Hall of the Three Buddhas, 1648), are gilded statues 26ft/ 8m high of Amida-nyorai, the Thousand-Handed Kannon and Bato -Kannon (this last with a horse's head on her forehead, symbolizing her role as the patroness of animals) and portraits of Abbots Tenkai (1536-1643) and Ryogen (912-985). To the north, on higher ground, stands a 43ft/ 13m high bronze column (Sorinto), set up by Tenkai in 1643 to ward off evil spirits. To the right of the column is the Gohotendo, a hall dedicated to the divinities Daikokuten, Bishamonten and Benzaiten.