別格本山鎮国寺

最終更新日：2022年3月9日

（ID:2492）

令和7年4月28日（月曜日）に行われる鎮国寺柴灯大護摩供の特別観覧席(限定３０席）を、3月23日（日曜日）より申込開始します。

鎮国寺は弘法大師（空海）が中国より帰朝した大同元年（806年）、日本で最初に創建したと伝えられる真言宗最古のお寺です。七堂伽藍を構えて宗像大社の神宮寺として栄えてきました。寺には、弘法大師の作と伝えられる「不動明王立像」（国指定重要文化財）、五仏堂（県指定文化財）、護摩堂などがあります。また鎮国寺は「花と祈願の寺」と言われるほど年間を通じて美しい花々を楽しめる名所としても大変有名で、梅・桜などが楽しめる春には毎年盛大に「花まつり」が行われています。

花まつりの様子

花まつり

桜、つつじ、しゃくなげなどの春の花が見ごろを迎える4月の時期に行われ、毎年多くの見物客で賑わいます。

柴灯大護摩供

毎年4月28日に行われる柴灯大護摩供は、不動明王のご開帳、火渡りの行事が行われ、一万人もの人々で賑わいます。柴灯大護摩供とは護摩木を焚いて身代わり不動明王を招き、家内安全などの願い事を祈願する仏教の修法です。読経のなか護摩壇に護摩木が投げ入れられ、その炎が収まると修験者たちが素足で白煙の上がる炭の上を渡ります。その後に一般の参詣者たちが続き、無病息災を祈ります。

一般参詣者たちが炭の上を渡っている様子
護摩木投げ入れの様子

Chinkokuji Temple

Chinkokuji Temple is said to have been established in 806 by Kukai (774–835; posthumously known as Kobo Daishi), an influential monk who introduced Shingon teachings to Japan after traveling to China in 804 to study esoteric Buddhism.

According to legend, Kukai sailed into a heavy storm on the way to China. He prayed to Buddha and the bodhisattvas, and to the Three Female Deities of Munakata—three Shinto deities who protect seafarers.

As Kukai prayed, the figure of Fudo Myoo, a fearsome guardian deity who protects the faithful and subdues evil spirits, appeared before him. His ship reached China safely. On his return to Japan, Kukai visited Munakata Taisha to give thanks to the deities for his safe passage. Chinkokuji Temple enshrines Fudo Myoo as well as the Three Female Deities of Munakata, enshrined here as three Buddhas.

The Three Female Deities are portrayed as Dainichi Nyorai, the cosmic Buddha; Shaka Nyorai, the historical Buddha; and Yakushi Nyorai, the healing Buddha. After Buddhism was introduced to Japan in the sixth century, an overlap developed between Shinto and Buddhist deities and they came to be portrayed interchangeably. The temple is within sight of Hetsu-miya, the largest of the three Munakata Taisha Shinto shrines venerating the Three Female Deities of Munakata.

The temple precincts include the main hall (hondo), the Gomado Hall, and several smaller worship halls. The main hall houses five Buddhas, three of which represent the Three Female Deities of Munakata. The Gomado Hall holds fire rituals to honor Fudo Myoo. A path leads visitors through the forested grounds past statues and stone monuments, including a statue of Kobo Daishi.

One of the main events at the temple is the annual memorial ceremony for Fudo Myoo on April 28. This is the only time the statue of Fudo Myoo is displayed for public viewing. The ceremony includes prayers around a ritual fire. Afterwards, worshippers can walk across warm coals to rid themselves of bad luck. The ceremony is open to the public.

The temple grounds bloom throughout the year, with plum blossoms in January, cherry blossoms, azaleas and irises in spring, and hydrangeas in early summer. The summer months bring lotus blossoms and red spider lilies. From November to December the leaves of Japanese maples and ginkgo trees turn shades of red and gold.

（This English-language text was created by the Japan Tourism Agency）