Ei'an Temple

Ei'an Temple [営劲方 えいあん・ほら] is a daihora temple located in Ebisha, Kōfu Prefecture. It was formerly the daihora of Eiita Province, and was considered one of the most important worship sites in northern Kanton. In the modern day the temple remains extremely popular and receives over 4 million visitors a year. 
The temple was founded as Sadawa Temple in the 12th century by the Sadawa clan as the primary temple of their domain, but after their defeat by the Eiita, it became a part of the the newly expanded Eiita Province. The site was renovated and lavishly decorated, and was given official status as a daihora; the name was also changed to include the character 営 (ei), which referenced the Eiita directly. The temple's location on the Daishō-ryō highway made it a very popular site for pilgrims and traveling officials, and it soon became known for its large monastery, where travelers belonging to the clergy were permitted to stay.
In modern times, Ei'an Temple hosts an annual hinamachi in its grounds, where an abundance of magnolia, camellia, plum, apple, and cherry blossom trees grow.
Category:Daihora
Category:Temples