Buddhist temple
Kairyūō-ji
海龍王寺（かいりゅうおうじ）
Nara, Nara Prefecture
A Shingon Risshū temple in Hokkeji-chō, east of the Heijō Palace site, whose principal image is a standing Jūichimen Kannon Bosatsu made in the Kamakura period. It holds a small five-story pagoda that is a National Treasure, and is known as a temple closely tied to the copying of the Heart Sutra (Hannya Shingyō).
English pages are the site’s own translations of its Japanese pages. The sources cited are in Japanese. 日本語で読む
Prayers associated with this place
Principal image: Jūichimen Kannon Bosatsu (standing statue)
History and things to know
According to the official guide, its predecessor was a temple that remained in one corner of the residence of Fujiwara no Fuhito, and Empress Kōmyō is said to have arranged its buildings to pray for the safe return of the priest Genbō, who had gone to Tang China. Because Genbō was able to return after chanting the Kairyūō-kyō in a storm on his way back, the temple's name was settled, and it flourished as a Buddhist hall of the imperial court. After it declined when the capital moved, it was revived by Eison in the Kamakura period.
Introduced by this site, based on materials from the shrine or temple and public bodies.
Related kami and buddhas
Before you visit
The principal image, the standing Jūichimen Kannon Bosatsu, is usually viewed through a curtain, and it is unveiled only at certain times, such as the special openings in spring, early summer and autumn (official guide).
Official website of the shrine or temple (may be in Japanese)
Sources (in Japanese)
- 海龍王寺「御祭神・御本尊・由緒の公式案内」（2026-10-22 確認）
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