Hogon Temple

"Passing away the anniversary of
Shiki's death and Saint Impen's death
Moon brighten in the autumn sky" (Mokuzen Sakai)

This monument was built to commemorate the 700th anniversary Saint Impen, the founder of Ji-sect, had the spiritual enlightment, by Kaneichi Nitta in Jan. 1974(Showa 49). The anniversary of Shiki's death is 19th Sept., and the anniversary of Impen's death is 16th Sept.. It has been heard that Saint Impen was spiritually awakened and attained higher perception in his religion at Kumano-Gongen, Kishu(Wakayama Prefecture), in 1275(Kenji 1). The year of 1974 just fall on the 700th year since that time. The wooden statue of Impen in the main temple was carved in Muromachi era.
Saint Impen delivered cards of prayer to the Buddha and preached to about 2.5 million people all over the country.
He died at the Shinkouji-temple which is located on the south of Hyogo Station of Japan National Railways Corporation, in 1289(Seiou 2), aged 51.