Raw data
According to Wikipedia, Annyôji was founded as a Shingon center possibly in the Nara period, though it received its current name in the 13th century.
Annyôji was built on the mountain road linking the towns of Sôja and Kurashiki. Of its buildings, the most notable are the hexagonal “floating pavilion” (Ukimidô) on Tennô Pond, and the Bishamontendô pagoda. The Heian-period icons of Bishamonten (Vaisravana), Lord of the Four Heavenly Kings, are located in the main hall.
- “Annyôji (Kurashiki-shi) http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/安養寺_(倉敷市)
Its founding date is unclear, but an archaeological dig turned up engraved tiles with a reign date of Ôtoku 3 (1086), along with the name Annyôji, suggesting that the monastery was in existence during the late Heian period (794-1185). A record of the Shishigatani Incident of 1177 indicates that the courtier Fujiwara no Narichika (1138-1178) took the tonsure at Annyôji.
According to the Records of Bichû, Annyôji’s buildings were burned down in the Battle of Fukuyama (1336). Only the Bishamontendô (“Hall of Bishamonten" [Vaisravana]) survived. The Heian-period Bishamonten icons are today designated as national treasures.
The monastery declined steadily during the Warring States period. In 1717, its remaining structures were moved to the present site. - “Annyôji” - http://www2a.biglobe.ne.jp/%257emarusan/phanyoji.html
Input by: Lizbeth H. Piel, August 05, 2012
Final data (and their sources)
Last updated: 19 Dec 2012
Lat/Long coordinates' accuracy:
The monastery in question is assumed to be situated actually no farther than 200 m from the point defined by the coordinates below.
General location of the Annyoji monastery, JP.
Lat 34.6359 Long 133.7589
Mapping & images: Falling Rain Genomics (http://www.fallingrain.com), 2012.
Google Map link:
Final data - explanatory notes
1. Monastery's name
- Annyôji 安養寺. Alternative English spelling: Annyô-ji, Annyoji
2. Monastery's modern country & province
- Japan: Okayama Prefecture
3. Monastery's alternative/historical names
- Asaharazan - Uryû (2003: 239)
4. Monastery's lat/long coordinates
- Approx., Lat 34.6359 Long 133.7589 - based on visual identification of the site in maps/satellite imagery, maps.google.com - tmciolek, 6 Aug 2012.
5. Other known nearby Buddhist monasteries
- [missing data]
6. Modern name of the known nearest city, town, or village
- Kurashiki-shi (city), Asahara
- Kurashiki - http://www.fallingrain.com/world/JA/31/Kurashiki.html
- (Not to be confused with Hayashino (aka Kurashiki Lat 35.0000 Long 134.1500 - http://www.fallingrain.com/world/JA/31/Hayashino.html)
7. The settlement's alternative/historical names
- The Okayama city area was known as Bichû province
- Kurasiki - http://www.fallingrain.com/world/JA/31/Kurashiki.html
8. The settlement's coordinates
- Approx., Lat 34.5833 Long 133.7667 - http://www.fallingrain.com/world/JA/31/Kurashiki.html
9. Monastery's major Buddhist tradition
- Mahayana
10. Monastery's Buddhist sub-tradition
- Koyasan Shingon & Asaharazan Bishamonten worship- Uryû (2003: 239)
11. Date-early
- Late Heian period (794-1185) - Uryû (2003: 239)
- Nara period (710-794) - http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/安養寺_(倉敷市)
- MBM chrono-tag 0733-66p 0767-99p 0800-32p - tmciolek 19 Dec 2012
- 0733-66p 0767-99p 0800-32p 0833-66p 0867-99c 0900-32c 0933-66c 0967-99c 1000-32c 1033-66c 1067-99c 1100-32c 1133-66c 1167-99c 1200=> dated-el
12. Date-intermediate
- 1135: Emperor Toba donates the 100 Bishamonten icons - Uryû (2003: 230)
- 1336: burned down in the Battle of Fukuyama - http://www2a.biglobe.ne.jp/%257emarusan/phanyoji.html
13. Date-late
- Rebuilt and moved in 1717 - http://www2a.biglobe.ne.jp/%257emarusan/phanyoji.html
- MBM chrono-tag 1200=> - tmciolek 19 Dec 2012
14. Details of contacts with other monasteries
- [missing data]
15. Type of evidence regarding the monastery
- Documents, architecture, artifacts
16. Additional notes
- [missing data] (incl. details of the size of the monastic population)
17. Corrections & addenda to this page were kindly provided by
- [missing data]
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