The quiet “Senju Kannon-dō.”

If you bend down by the door, you can peek into the temple to see a statue of Senju Kannon and a statue of Yakushi Nyorai enshrined in the back of each dimly lit hall. Senju Kannon is a version of Kannon, the Japanese goddess of mercy, with a thousand arms, while Yakushi Nyorai is the buddha of healing and medicine.

This Senju Kannon was originally found and enshrined in another area about 800 years ago, but it was moved here based on the premonition of a traveler’s dream.

At one point it was decided to return the statue to its original home, but various disasters followed when that move happened. Strangely enough, once it was moved back to Izumigaya, the disasters ceased and peace was restored.

It’s been 400 years since then and the Senju Kannon has continued to watch over and protect the area of Izumigaya.

It’s a local treasure that will continue to be cherished.