Temple 17: Idoji 17番：井戸寺

Official explanation

Emperor Tenmu (631–686) ordered this temple’s establishment in 673. It is known for its rather unusual number of statues—seven in all—of the Buddha of Healing (Bhaisajya), who is believed to answer health-related prayers. Six of the statues are replicas of those lost to fire. Only one of the original seven remains.

Kukai is said to have visited this temple in 815. Legend has it that he took pity on the local people, who were suffering from a shortage of drinking water, and dug a well with his staff. The well can still be seen today inside a small enclosure on the temple grounds. Tradition holds that if you see your face reflected in its surface, no harm will come to you for the next three years.

出典: 地域観光資源の多言語解説文データベース（観光庁） — www.mlit.go.jp/tagengo-db. この英語解説文は観光庁の地域観光資源の多言語解説整備支援事業で作成しました。
Source: Japan Tourism Agency, Multilingual Explanation Database. This English text was produced by the Japan Tourism Agency's multilingual explanation project and is shown unedited. Opening hours and services may have changed since it was written.