🗺️ Hōshōin Shinpaku宝生院のシンパク

Bōshō-in is the 54th temple of the 88 sacred sites on Shodoshima. The 51st temple, "Hōtō-bō," and the 52nd temple, "Old Hachiman Shrine," are located within the same precinct and have been revered by people for many years. The biggest highlight is a giant Juniper tree that stands on the eastern side of the precinct. The so-called Juniper is an evergreen coniferous tree of the Cupressaceae family, native to the coastal regions of Shikoku and Kyushu. This "Bōshō-in Juniper" has a trunk circumference of about 16.9 meters and a height of about 20.9 meters, making it one of the largest trees in Japan. According to legend, it was personally planted by Emperor Ōjin, the 15th emperor, during the Kofun period, and it is over 1,600 years old. In 1955, it was designated as a National Special Natural Monument. The Bōshō-in Juniper branches out in three directions from a height of about 1 meter, with its lush foliage resembling a forest. Upon closer inspection, the appearance of the branches resembles the sacred beasts "Elephant," "Dragon," and "Turtle" in Buddhism. This mysterious and sacred energy site attracts numerous worshippers every year for pilgrimage. It is worth mentioning that the Juniper is designated as a National Special Natural Monument, so touching the branches and leaves is prohibited. Please be especially mindful of this.

With an age of over 1,600 years, it is a nationally designated special natural monument. The giant trees, resembling a forest, are filled with a sense of mystery. The appearance of the branches and leaves resembles the sacred beasts in Buddhism: "elephant," "dragon," and "tortoise." As the true cypress is a nationally designated special natural monument, touching the branches and leaves is prohibited, so please pay special attention.