Sagami-ji

Buddhist temple in Kasai, Hyogo

By Mark Joseph Fabon

Community writer

Romon. This arch made of wood serves as the main entrace of the Sagami-Ji, located at the old town in Hojo Kasai..

Aside from the temple, other structures like this dragon statue are one of the attractions in Sagami-Ji.

The pathway to the main temple of Sagami-ji.

Tahoto Pagoda, a two-storied pagoda right after the main entrance of Sagami-ji.

This stone serves as the dedication for people who died in the war.

"Hono osameru" or offering. A shrine at the back of the main temple.

A bridge connecting the other part of the compound.

The beautiful detailing of this temple creates an impressive display of colors that make it look different from any angle.

A small shrine at the back of the main temple.

Sagami-Ji or Sagami-dera is a Shingon Buddhist temple in Kasai, Hyogo. Its mountain name Sango is Senjōs. Emperor Shomu ordered its construction in the 17th year of the Tenpyo era (745), at the request of Gyoki a Buddhist priest.

According to the temple records, the priest Gyoki received an oracle from Sagami Myōjin instructing a temple to be built on these grounds. Gyōki took the request to Emperor Shōmu, who then ordered the construction of Sagami-ji. When finished in 745, it was named Sagami after the oracle's origins.

The building was badly damaged in the Heiji Rebellion of 1159, and later rebuilt. The main temple was burnt down in conflicts during 1578, and was not rebuilt until the Daimyo Himeji Honda Tadamasa , agreed to aid the Ikeda clan in its reconstruction.