The History of Jyoraku-ji Temple
Jyoraku-ji is the 11th temple of the Chichibu 34 Kannon Pilgrimage, established in 1234.
In the past, pilgrims would place wooden votive plaques with prayers and wishes at the temple as proof of their pilgrimage.
Jyoraku-ji began as a small place of worship enshrining Jyuichimen Kanzeon Bosatsu (Eleven-faced Kanzeon Bodhisattva) as the principal object of devotion, and later became formally known as Jyoraku-ji Temple.
During the Edo period, as everyday life became more stable, pilgrimages spread beyond monks and became popular among the general public. The Chichibu pilgrimage gained particular attention because it was relatively close to Edo (present-day Tokyo), attracting many visitors.
In 1878, a devastating fire known as the “Chichibu Great Fire” burned a large part of the town, including the temple.
The fire destroyed most of the temple buildings, including the Niomon gate, and Jyoraku-ji was temporarily closed.
Only a limited number of items survived, such as statues including Jyuichimen Kanzeon Bosatsu and fortune-drawing boxes.
Today, as one of the “Japan 100 Kannon” sacred sites together with the Saigoku 33 and Bando 33 pilgrimages, Jyoraku-ji continues to be loved by many visitors.
