Hokkeji-Temple Following the steps of Empress Komyo, the Muse of Tenpyo

Hokkeji Temple, founded in the 8th century by Empress Komyo, is an important historical and cultural site in Nara. The temple complex includes several beautiful structures and gardens, providing a serene atmosphere for visitors. The main hall houses a National Treasure ‘the Eleven-faced Kannon’, a masterpiece of Nara period sculpture, and the temple’s grounds are adorned with seasonal flowers, making it a picturesque destination throughout the year.

History

While it is well known that Emperor Shomu established Todai-ji as the head temple of provincial temples, fewer people might know that his consort, Empress Komyo, founded Hokkeji Temple as the head provincial nunnery. Empress Komyo was a major patron of Buddhism during the Nara period, alongside Emperor Shomu, and was known for her compassion towards those suffering from illness. Hokkeji Temple houses a beautiful Eleven-faced Kannon statue, said to depict Empress Komyo herself, which continues to captivate many visitors.

境内

Buddha

The renowned National Treasure Eleven-faced Kannon Bodhisattva statue is smaller than one might imagine, standing about one meter tall. It is intricately and beautifully carved, often described as ‘single-block sculpture carved from a Japanese nutmeg-yew tree (kaya)’. Having been a secret Buddha for a long time, its preservation is excellent, and standing before it, one can feel an almost magnetic attraction. It may seem irreverent to describe it as “sexy,” but the slight curve of the right foot stepping forward, the full lips, and the lotus buds and leaves spreading out like a thousand hands in the background seem to invite us to the Pure Land, making it endlessly fascinating to gaze upon.

その他寺宝

法華寺にはその他にも国宝や重文の仏像も多く、見ごたえがある。指定はないが、聖徳太子童子像が複数あり、これも橘三千代―光明皇后と母娘で聖徳太子信仰を深めていたしるしかもしれない。橘三千代は法隆寺に伝わる国宝「阿弥陀如来脇侍像（伝橘夫人念持仏）」その他でも知られるように法隆寺のスポンサーでもあり、その娘光明皇后も母の死後それを引き継いでいたと考えられる。

維摩居士座像（国宝）奈良時代
阿弥陀三尊及び童子画像（国宝）平安時代
釈迦如来仏頭（重要文化財）時代未確定
二天頭部- 伝梵天・伝帝釈天-（重要文化財）奈良時代

授与品

法華寺では御朱印を始め様々な授与品を求めることができる。

「お守り犬」
光明皇后がお手ずから作られたという犬のお守りを受け継ぎ、法華寺の門主と尼僧が護摩堂の灰と土を練って時間をかけて作る「お守り犬」は素朴な可愛らしさ。「厄除け」「長寿」「安産」のお守り。

「光明茶筅」
法華寺で譲っていただける特別な茶筅。茶筅の首のところに五色の糸が結ばれていて、それが長めに流れる様子はとても優美です。五色の紐は大仏開眼の際にその筆の先に結ばれていたという五色の紐を模したものでしょうか。

花

法華寺の中には庭園が2つあり、四季の花を楽しむことができる。特に華楽園の法華寺蓮は純白の花びらの縁がほんのりとピンクに染まり可憐で美しい。（蓮の画像は法華寺HPより）

春：梅、桜、雪柳、燕子花
夏：蓮、桔梗

アクセス

〒630-8001 奈良市法華寺町 882
TEL: 0742-33-2261
拝観時間　　朝9:00開門 夕方4:30閉門