Nozaki Kannon

This is a Soto sect temple located in Nozaki, Daito City, Osaka Prefecture. Its official name is Fukujusan Jigenji, and Nozaki Kannon is its popular name. The principal image is the Eleven-Headed Kannon. It has a deep connection with Jizo-in Temple in Yamashiro (Kyoto Prefecture), and is said to have been modeled after the sacred site of the Great Compassion Kannon in Varanasi, India. The founding date is unknown, but it is said that during the reign of Emperor Ichijo (reigned 986-1011), a prostitute from Eguchi, Settsu (present-day Higashiyodogawa Ward) rebuilt the main hall. In 1565 (Eiroku 8), the temple was burned down by soldiers of Miyoshi and Matsunaga, and was rebuilt by Seigan during the Genna era (1615-24). The principal image, the Eleven-Headed Kannon, is said to have been made by Gyoki and is said to have miraculous powers for finding a partner and granting children. During the Edo period, this temple was deeply devoted to Osaka merchants. In the early modern period, during the two spring and autumn Muenkyo Buddhist services (currently held from May 1st to 10th), worshippers would come to the temple by the waterway and overland bank of the Neyagawa River, exchanging curses. This custom became known as the Nozaki pilgrimage, and was the setting for Chikamatsu Monzaemon's "Woman Killing Oil Hell."

[Akira Suganuma]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

大阪府大東(だいとう)市野崎にある曹洞(そうとう)宗の寺。正称は福聚山慈眼寺(ふくじゅさんじげんじ)で、野崎観音は俗称。本尊は十一面観音。山城(やましろ)（京都府）の地蔵院とゆかりが深く、インドのバーラーナシーの大悲観音の聖蹟(せいせき)を模したものといわれる。開基は不詳で、一条(いちじょう)天皇（在位986～1011）の時代に摂津江口(えぐち)（現東淀川(ひがしよどがわ)区）の遊女が本堂を再興したと伝えられる。1565年（永禄8）三好(みよし)・松永の兵によって全焼、元和(げんな)年間（1615～24）に青嵓(せいがん)が重興した。本尊十一面観音像は行基(ぎょうき)の作と伝えられ、縁結び、子授けに霊験があるという。この寺は江戸時代には大坂商人の厚い帰依(きえ)を受けた。近世、春秋2回行われた無縁経(むえんきょう)の法会(ほうえ)（現在5月1～10日）には寝屋川の水路と土手の陸路を行く参拝客が罵声(ばせい)を交わしながら訪れ、その風習は野崎詣(もうで)として知られ、近松門左衛門『女殺油地獄(おんなころしあぶらのじごく)』の舞台ともなった。

［菅沼　晃］

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