Complete Guide to Seiganji Temple (Oshiroi Jizo) | A Historic Temple in Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture, Famous for Prayers for Beautiful Skin
Seiganji Temple, located in Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture, is a temple known for its blessings of beautiful skin and beauty, and is affectionately known as “Oshiroi Jizo” (Powdered Jizo). It’s a popular power spot, attracting a constant stream of visitors from all over Japan, not just locals, who come to pray for beauty. This article provides a detailed guide to Seiganji Temple, including its history, the origin of Oshiroi Jizo, how to worship, and access information.
What is Seiganji Temple?
Seiganji Temple is a Soto Zen Buddhist temple located in Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture. Its official name is “清巌寺”. The reason this temple has become nationally known is the presence of the “Oshiroi Jizo” enshrined on its grounds.
Basic Temple Information
- Sect: Soto Zen
- Location: Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture
- Main Faith: Prayers for beautiful skin and beauty, healing of skin diseases
- Features: Famous for the Oshiroi Jizo (face-powdered Jizo)
- Visiting Hours: Daytime (Please check with the temple for details)
- Admission Fee: Free
Seiganji Temple is a small temple nestled in a quiet residential area, but due to its miraculous blessings, many worshippers come from far and wide.
Origin and Legend of the Oshiroi Jizo
There is an interesting legend that has been passed down since ancient times that is behind Seiganji Temple becoming known as the “Oshiroi Jizo.”
Origin of the Oshiroi Jizo
The Oshiroi Jizo is a stone Buddha officially called “Enmei Jizo Bosatsu” (Jizo Bodhisattva of Longevity). The following legend is associated with this Jizo statue, which has been worshipped since the Edo period.
Long ago, a woman suffering from a skin disease visited this Jizo statue and, with a prayer, applied face powder to the statue’s face. Miraculously, her skin condition was cured. This event gave rise to the custom of people applying face powder to the Jizo statue while praying for beautiful skin and the healing of skin diseases.
A Faith That Continues Today
Even today, visitors to Seiganji Temple apply face powder or cosmetics they bring with them to the Jizo statue, praying for beautiful skin and successful beauty treatments. Many visitors are women, visiting with various wishes, including improvement of skin problems, prayers for beautiful skin, and anti-aging.
It is also said that applying face powder to the same part of the Jizo statue as the part of your own skin that you have a problem with will bring blessings.
How to Worship the Face Powder Jizo
There is a unique way to worship the Face Powder Jizo. Knowing the correct way to worship will allow you to pray with more sincerity.
Procedure for Worship
- Purify at the Water Basin: First, purify your hands and mouth at the water basin within the temple grounds.
- Visit the Main Hall: Bow to the main deity in the main hall and perform a prayer with clasped hands.
- Go to the Oshiroi Jizo: Proceed to the location where the Oshiroi Jizo is enshrined.
- Apply the Powder: Gently apply the powder or cosmetics you brought with you to the face and body of the Jizo statue.
- Make a Wish: Silently state your wish, such as for beautiful skin or healing of skin diseases.
- Pray with Clasped Hands: Finally, clasp your hands together to express your gratitude.
Items to Bring
- Powder: Traditionally, you should bring powder.
- Cosmetics: Nowadays, you can use your usual cosmetics such as foundation or powder.
- Brush or Puff: Tools for applying face powder
Some temples may provide face powder, but it is generally customary to bring your own.
Points to note when visiting
- The Jizo statue is sacred, so treat it with respect.
- When applying face powder, do so gently and carefully.
- Take the used face powder and tools home or return them to the designated place.
- As it is located in a quiet residential area, please be considerate and avoid making noise.
Benefits of Seiganji Temple
Seiganji Temple, known for its face powder Jizo, is believed to offer various blessings.
Main Benefits
- Achieving Beautiful Skin: Beautifying the skin, improving skin quality
- Healing of Skin Diseases: Healing of skin diseases such as atopic dermatitis, eczema, and acne
- Beauty Prayer: Maintaining beauty, preserving youthfulness
- Resolving Facial Concerns: Improvement of blemishes, wrinkles, dullness, etc.
- Longevity: Longevity, the original benefit of Jizo Bodhisattva
Actual Testimonials
For many years, many visitors have reported improvements in their skin condition and resolved long-standing skin problems. While scientific evidence is uncertain, the positive effects of faith and prayer on mind and body have long been recognized.
History of Seiganji Temple
The exact founding date of Seiganji Temple is unknown, but it is a historical temple believed to have existed since the Edo period.
History of the Temple
Seiganji Temple, a Soto Zen temple, has long been a center of faith for the local people. However, the worship of the Oshiroi Jizo (face-powdered Jizo) is thought to have become particularly widespread from the mid-Edo period onward. This coincides with the time when cosmetic culture developed and face powder became widely used among women.
Matsue flourished as a castle town, and interest in beauty grew among the women of samurai and merchant families. It is presumed that the worship of the Oshiroi Jizo spread against this backdrop.
Seiganji Temple in Modern Times
Even today, Seiganji Temple functions as a center of local faith. Especially in modern society, where interest in beauty and healthy skin is high, the existence of the Oshiroi Jizo is once again attracting attention.
Information has spread through social media, and young women and people interested in beauty are now visiting from all over the country. This is a good example of traditional faith connecting with modern needs and being passed down in a new form.
Access Information
We will guide you on how to access Seiganji Temple.
Location
Address: Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture (Please confirm the detailed address in advance)
Access by Public Transportation
- From JR Matsue Station: Take a bus or taxi
- Bus: Matsue City Bus, Ichibata Bus, etc. operate (a few minutes’ walk from the nearest bus stop)
- Taxi: Approximately 10-15 minutes from Matsue Station
Access by Car
- San’in Expressway: Approximately 15-20 minutes from Matsue-Nishi IC or Matsue-Chuo IC
- Parking: There may be a small parking space, but it is recommended to check in advance.
Notes on Access
Seiganji Temple is a small temple located in a residential area, so please note the following:
- Some roads are narrow, so it is best to avoid visiting in large vehicles.
- Please visit quietly so as not to disturb the local residents.
- Parking may be limited, so please consider using public transportation.
- If you’re visiting for the first time, we recommend using a map app or navigation system.
Nearby Tourist Attractions
When visiting Seiganji Temple, you can also visit other tourist attractions in Matsue City.
Matsue Castle
Matsue Castle, a designated National Treasure, is about a 10-15 minute drive from Seiganji Temple. From the castle tower, you can enjoy a panoramic view of Matsue city and Lake Shinji, and the scenery is especially beautiful during the cherry blossom and autumn foliage seasons.
Lake Shinji
Lake Shinji, the seventh largest lake in Japan, is known as a famous spot for sunsets. A promenade is maintained along the lakeside, allowing you to enjoy a stroll.
Yaegaki Shrine
Yaegaki Shrine, famous for matchmaking, is also a popular tourist spot in Matsue. The fortune-telling at the “Mirror Pond” on the shrine grounds is popular with many female visitors.
Matsue Vogel Park
This flower and bird theme park allows you to enjoy beautiful flowers and various birds all year round. This is a recommended spot for families.
Matsue City’s Beauty and Skin Care Culture
The worship of the Oshiroi Jizo (powdered Jizo) at Seiganji Temple can be positioned as part of Matsue City’s beauty culture.
Matsue’s Relationship to Beautiful Skin
Shimane Prefecture is known as a “prefecture for beautiful skin,” and in surveys by Pola Chemical Industries, it has repeatedly ranked highly in skin care rankings. The reasons for this include:
- High Humidity: Short daylight hours and high humidity prevent skin dryness.
- High-Quality Water: Abundant soft water, considered beneficial for beautiful skin.
- Hot Spring Culture: Many hot springs, such as Tamatsukuri Onsen, are known for their skin-beautifying properties.
- Food Culture: Abundant seafood and mountain produce with a good nutritional balance.
It is believed that the worship of the Oshiroi Jizo developed within this environment.
Connection to Tamatsukuri Onsen
Tamatsukuri Onsen, adjacent to Matsue City, is famous as a “hot spring for beautiful skin.” An increasing number of tourists are enjoying a “beauty skin tour” combining a visit to Seiganji Temple’s Oshiroi Jizo statue with a visit to Tamatsukuri Onsen hot springs.
Recommended Visiting Season
Seiganji Temple is open year-round, but each season offers a different charm.
Spring (March-May)
During cherry blossom season, the entire city of Matsue is enveloped in a vibrant atmosphere. Many people visit to pray for beautiful skin as they start a new life.
Summer (June-August)
The rainy season brings high humidity, offering a typical Matsue climate. Summer sunshine is strong, so be sure to take precautions against sunburn when visiting.
Autumn (September-November)
The pleasant weather makes it an ideal season for sightseeing. It’s also a beautiful time for autumn foliage, and it’s recommended to visit in conjunction with sightseeing in the surrounding area, such as Matsue Castle.
Winter (December-February)
Winter in Matsue is often cloudy, with many days of high humidity. While the weather isn’t extremely cold, warm clothing is necessary. Many people visit during the New Year’s holiday, often combining it with their first shrine visit of the year.
Guidelines for Visiting Seiganji Temple
By keeping the following points in mind, your visit to Seiganji Temple will be more meaningful.
Have a Faithful Heart
The Oshiroi Jizo is not merely a tourist attraction; it is a sacred place that has attracted the faith of people for many years. Please visit with respect.
Gratitude
In addition to making wishes, it’s important to be grateful for your daily health and beauty. Visiting with a grateful heart will enrich your soul.
Observe Manners
Temples are places for quiet worship. Please refrain from speaking loudly or making noise. Also, please only take photographs in designated areas and be considerate of other visitors.
Consideration for the Community
Since Seiganji Temple is located in a residential area, please remember to be considerate of the nearby residents. Please be mindful of avoiding causing inconvenience such as illegal parking or excessive noise.
Prayers for Beautiful Skin and Daily Care
Visiting the Oshiroi Jizo is the first step towards beautiful skin, but daily skincare is also important.
Post-Visit Skincare Habits
- Proper Cleansing: Keep your skin clean with morning and evening cleansing.
- Moisturizing Care: Moisturize thoroughly with lotion, emulsion, and cream.
- UV Protection: Protect your skin with sunscreen.
- Balanced Diet: Care for beautiful skin from within.
- Sufficient Sleep: Sleep is essential for skin regeneration.
- Stress Management: Stress can cause skin problems.
Mental and Physical Health
Beautiful skin stems from a healthy mind and body. Through visiting the Oshiroi Jizo, reflecting on yourself and striving for a healthy lifestyle, both mentally and physically, leads to true beauty.
Summary
Seiganji Temple (Oshiroi Jizo), located in Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture, is a historic temple known for prayers for beautiful skin and beauty. The worship of Oshiroi Jizo, which has continued since the Edo period, is still supported by many people today, attracting visitors from all over Japan.
The unique method of worship and the custom of applying face powder to the Jizo statue are distinctive forms of worship not seen elsewhere. It can be said to be a valuable spot where you can experience a part of the culture of Shimane Prefecture, known as a prefecture of beautiful skin.
When sightseeing in Matsue, why not visit Seiganji Temple and pray to Oshiroi Jizo for beautiful skin? If you visit with respect and gratitude, you may find that both your mind and body become beautiful.
We hope that your visit to Seiganji Temple will help fulfill your wishes for beautiful skin.
