Jogi Nyorai Saihoji Temple is a Buddhist temple in Sendai, Japan.
Our most sacred treasure is a painted scroll of Amida Buddha located in the main temple. This holy painting of Amida Buddha is called Jogi Nyorai. Jogi is the location, and Nyorai means Buddha. This is a secret Buddha, and the center door is opened only five times each year.
Jogi Nyorai is believed to bring good luck to those who pray regularly for their family’s happiness such as for weddings, easy childbirth, good health, or professional success.
Many people, attracted by the Buddha’s miraculous virtues, continue to visit the temple to pray.
Short messages from Rev. Kogi Oeda
2021 June Cleanand Beautiful
2021 June Cleanand Beautiful
2021 February Light&Bright
2021 January Wrapped in Love and Compassion
2020 September The Blessings of Nature
2020 December Okagesama, Thanks to All
2020 November Choose the Comfortable Way
2020 October The Electromagnetic Wave Frequency of Prayer
2020 August Returning to Our Roots
2020 July At Least One Memorable Moment Each Day
2020 June Let Fresh Air into Our Minds
Get on the bus at bus stop #10 at Sendai Station west entrance.
Look for the bus with the sign that says “Jogi” or 定義. This is the last stop for the bus.
・Fee: 1,160 yen
・Duration: 80 to 90 minutes
Begin at the Tohoku Jidoshado Freeway. Get off at the Sendai Miyagi Interchange at Route 48 West (to Yamagata). Turn right at "Kumagane" or 熊ヶ根 and drive for about 15 minutes.
Trip duration from the Sendai-Miyagi Interchange: 40-50 minutes
Address: 1 Joge Aza Okura Aobaku Sendai Miyagi 989-3213
Phone: 022-393-2011
Fax: 022-393-2013
Email: info@jogi.jp
Built in 1931, the calligraphy on the front was written by Makoto Saito, who was the thirtieth prime minister of Japan. Kongoriskishi (or masculine images) are on both sides and protect the gate. Intricate carvings by Toramasa Ishii cover the building. How many carved animals can you find?
This building was designated an important Cultural Property of Japan in 2018.
Because of Founder Sadayoshi Taira’s will, the mausoleum was built on his grave eight-hundred years ago. It incorporates the natural landscape. Throughout the centuries it was expanded, and what you see today is the final extension built in 1927. Daily prayers used to be held in this hall. You may go inside and take a look at a small altar on the left side. That is Sadayoshi Taira’s grave. Also, please notice the carvings at the entrance. This building was designated an important Cultural Property of Japan in 2018.
The hall was built in 1999 using neither nails nor bolts. It is so skillfully built that the wood easily withstands the natural threats of earthquakes and typhoons. There are six to eight prayers in the hall every day. If you request to have a prayer, please register at the office on the right side of the hall (2,000+ yen).
The Five-Storied Pagoda is a spiritual shrine built for Founder Sadayoshi Taira and as a Buddhist symbol for the eternal peace of all humanity. The same aged trees on the same slope of the same mountain were used to build the pagoda. It was built 1986.
Eight-hundred years ago, Emperor Antoku died when he was eight years old. Sadayoshi brought his belongings here. Two Zelkova trees were planted, and they joined above and grew together as one. The tree’s name is Renri No Keyaki, or “the Zelkova trees that became one.” People visit this sacred tree to pray for a happy marriage and to have children.
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In the eighth century in China, there was a high ranking priest. His name was Hosso-Zenji. One day, he received a scroll with the image of Amida Buddha from Monju Bodhisattva at Godaisan Chikurinji Temple. Since then, Hossho-Zenji diligently followed and spread Amida Buddha’s teaching. He put the scroll in the temple as a treasure, and many people visited to pray to the Amida Buddha from many places.
In the twelfth century in Japan, there was a government official whose name was Shigemori Taira. At that time, there were many conflicts in Japan. Since he could not make peace, he donated gold to the Kinzanji Temple in China to pray for Japan. Because of his offering to the Kinzanji Temple, it sent him the Amida Buddha scroll. Shigemori was so grateful to have the scroll that he began praying to the Amida Buddha every day for Japan’s peace, emperor, and people, and for his own family.
In autumn of the year 1150, Shigemori was sick in bed, and he knew that he would die soon. He gave the scroll to Sadayoshi Taira who was one of his trusted servants.
Shigemori Taira told Sadayoshi Taira to pray for peace and for the entire Taira Clan after he died.
After the Taira Clan was defeated in the Dannoura War of 1185, Sadayoshi followed Shigemori’s will. He kept the scroll and prayed for peace every day.
He secretly moved to this location and changed his name from Sadayoshi to Jogi because he wanted to hide and protect himself from his enemies.
Sadayoshi Taira passed away in July 1198 when he was sixty years old. Because of his will, his servants and followers built a small temple in his graveyard and enshrined the Amida Buddha’s scroll in the temple.
In 1706, Genbei Hayasaka, who was a local leader in the area, thought that they should have a priest to take care of this Amida Buddha. Then, Hayasaka became a priest and began the Saihoji Temple.
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Jogi Nyorai is believed to bring good luck to those who pray regularly for their family’s happiness such as for weddings, easy childbirth, health, or professional success. There are six to eight prayers in the hall every day. If you request to have a prayer, please register at the office on the right side of the hall (2,000+ yen).
Shakyo is using Japanese calligraphy to copy Buddhist sutra text. We have five different designs and levels of copying the sutras and drawing the bodhisattvas. The donation is 500+ yen for each sutra.
This is available from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Sadayoshido (Original Temple). You can participate in this activity any time during these hours. The sutras you offer are placed on the main altar and prayed for by the priest.
Would you like to have traditional Japanese tea, or matcha, with a Japanese dry confectionery, or higashi? Yasuragi is the place to enjoy Japanese traditional matcha in a comfortable, cozy setting.
We use our natural mineral water from the mountain. This is called chomeisui, or “long life water.” The matcha will bring healing from your long trip. Please enjoy hot milk matcha with marshmallow. It is a little sweet.
From here you can also enjoy the view of the Five-Storied Pagoda. Each of the four seasons presents a different scene of nature. Would you like to take a break with matcha in this peaceful place?
Ema are wooden plaques on which people write their prayers or wishes.
Write your wishes on the plaques. Hang them in front of the temple, and put your hands in gassho, or in a prayer position (300 yen, purchased at the temple office).
Goen means union or relationship. Ema is a small wooden plaque with an emblem of our temple. We offer this to a shrine or temple when we pray for something.
Eight-hundred years ago, Emperor Antoku’s belongings were buried under the tree. After several decades, the trees joined and grew together as one tree. Because of this, people visit the sacred tree to pray for a happy marriage and to have children.
Write your marriage and relationship desires on the large circle and hang it on the red frame. Remove the small circle, take it with you, and attach it to your belongings (1,000 yen, purchased at the temple office).
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