Inori no Mori祈りの杜working title

Group of figures

Sanjūsan Kannon (the Thirty-Three Kannon)

三十三観音さんじゅうさんかんのん

A grouping of Kannon chosen in connection with the sanjūsan ōgenshin, the thirty-three forms in which Kannon is said to change shape to save people.

This introduction is based on materials published by shrines, temples, and schools, starting with Shōhōin. It is summarized within the scope of the beliefs and traditions those materials convey, and does not present explanations or customs common to all schools, shrines, and temples.

English pages are the site’s own translations of its Japanese pages. The sources cited are in Japanese. 日本語で読む

The names and roles of the Sanjūsan Kannon

A grouping of Kannon chosen in connection with the sanjūsan ōgenshin, the thirty-three forms in which Kannon is said to change shape to save people. Their origins vary among India, China and Japan, and it is explained that when and by whom they were defined is not clear.

Source: 飛不動尊 正宝院・飛不動尊 正宝院

Tracing their forms and traditions

Thirty-three names are listed, including Yōryū Kannon, Enkō Kannon, Renga Kannon, Gyoran Kannon and Ichiyō Kannon. It seems the only work presenting all their forms together is the Butsuzō Zui, published by Ki no Hidenobu in Genroku 3, and the pictures on these pages are said to have been made based on it.

Source: 飛不動尊 正宝院・飛不動尊 正宝院

Kannon's compassion, saving in changing forms

The images of the Sanjūsan Kannon are connected with the sanjūsan ōgenshin, in which Kannon changes form according to the person in order to save them. However, the thirty-three names in this list, such as Yōryū Kannon and Suigetsu Kannon, are not identified one by one with the thirty-three forms named in the sutras. Many beliefs and pictorial traditions from India, China and Japan overlap here.

Source: 飛不動尊 正宝院・浅草寺

Iconographic sources that hand down the thirty-three forms

Shōhōin introduces this grouping based on the Butsuzō Zui, published in the Edo period. Their names reflect objects held, places of dwelling, gestures, saving work and so on. Some have their own origin stories told, while others are centered on form and name, so not every figure necessarily has a separate tale or particular prayer attached.

Source: 飛不動尊 正宝院

Compassion that hears suffering and leads to peace

Sensō-ji explains Kannon as a buddha who receives people's voices, removes suffering and gives ease. Turning one's heart toward deliverance from hardship is a way into understanding faith in Kannon. This is an explanation of the compassion shared by all forms of Kannon, not a list assigning a particular benefit to each of the thirty-three images.

Source: 浅草寺

Related kami and buddhas

Sources (in Japanese)