The 82nd temple of the Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage, Nekoji is set deep in the mountains of Goshikidai at 380 meters elevation, enshrining Senju Kannon (Thousand-armed Avalokitesvara). It is a rare temple associated with both Saicho, founder of Tendai Buddhism, who opened it in 822, and Kukai (Kobo Daishi), who later restored it — making it uniquely linked to the founders of both major esoteric sc…

Nekoji-ji Temple is said to have been founded in 822 by Saicho (Dengyo Daishi), the patriarch of the Tendai sect, deep in the mountains of Goshikidai, originally under the name Keizo-in. It was later revived by Kukai (Kobo Daishi), who is said to have carved and enshrined statues of Senju Kannon and…