Buddhist temple
Kichiden-ji
吉田寺（きちでんじ）
Ikaruga, Ikoma District, Nara Prefecture
A temple associated with Pure Land teaching in Ikaruga Town, Nara Prefecture, known as "the temple of pokkuri ōjō". Its principal image is a jōroku Amida Nyorai, said to have been carved by Eshin Sōzu for a memorial service for his mother.
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: Amida Nyorai (jōroku Amida Nyorai)
History and things to know
According to temple tradition, its founding goes back to an imperial request by Emperor Tenji, and it was opened in Eien 1 (987) by Eshin Sōzu Genshin. The principal image is said to have been carved by the Sōzu from a great chestnut tree in the precincts for the third-year memorial of his mother, who had passed away peacefully, and as the largest seated Amida Nyorai in the prefecture it is designated an Important Cultural Property. The tahōtō pagoda, built in Kanshō 4 (1463), is also an Important Cultural Property.
Introduced by this site, based on materials from the shrine or temple and public bodies.
Related kami and buddhas
Before you visit
The temple's official site cautions that some car navigation systems may guide visitors to the back gate (enter Ikaruga-chō Koyoshida 1-2 or 1-3).
Official website of the shrine or temple (may be in Japanese)
Sources (in Japanese)
- 吉田寺「御祭神・御本尊・由緒の公式案内」（2026-10-21 確認）
This site is independent of the shrines, temples, and other websites mentioned. No partnership or endorsement is implied.