The temple originated from a training hall dedicated to the eleven-face Kannon founded in the year 951 (in the mid-Heian period) by monk Kuya ICHIHIJIRI who was known for chanting the name of Buddha while beating a bell and dancing, and was called Saiko-ji Temple at first. |
踊り念仏で知られる市聖(いちひじり)空也(くうや)が平安時代中期の天暦5年(951年)に造立した十一面観音を本尊とする道場に由来し、当初西光寺と称した。 |