An ancient Shingon temple founded by Gyoki in 725 at the imperial command of Emperor Shomu, one of the Five Northern Temples of Lake Hamana. The principal image — a seated Yakushi Nyorai said to have been carved in the likeness of Sakanoue no Tamuramaro's wife — is revered as the guardian of children, drawing pilgrims from across Japan for prayers for safe childbirth and child-rearing. Legend also…

Gansui-ji is an ancient Shingon Buddhist temple traditionally said to have been founded in 725 (the second year of Jinki) by the monk Gyoki, acting under imperial command of Emperor Shomu. From its establishment, the temple enshrined a seated image of Yakushi Nyorai as its principal object of worshi…