The current temple was built by the priest Kanden, a cousin of Minamoto no Yoritomo, (1147-1199) the great warrior and first of the Kamakura Shogun. Yoritomo’s hair and teeth are enshrined inside the womb of the statue of Kannon, the Goddess of Mercy, carved to match Yoritomo’s height. Also designated as National Important Cultural Properties, the Sanmon Gate and the main hall remain as fine examples of Kamakura period (1192-1333) architecture.
The impressive Sanmon Gate was built in 1267 by master carpenter and nobleman, Fujiwara Mitsunobu. In either side of the gate are two 287cm tall wooden Nio guardian statues, carved during the early 15th century. The story goes that some of the Sanmon Gate’s roof support rafters had been inserted back to front, and in shame, Fujiwawa Mitsunobu, jumped off the upper story of the gate to his death. A tree planted on the ground where he died blossomed every year, but never gave fruit. The mound to the left of the gate is believed to be his grave.

Takisan Toshogu Shrine & Oni Matsuri

Just above the Takisan-ji’s main hall is the brightly colored Takisan Toshogu Shrine. This Shinto shrine was built in 1646 by Ieyasu’s grandson, the 3rd Shogun, Tokugawa Iemitsu, and is ranked 3rd behind the Kunozan and Nikko Toshogu Shrines. The Main Hall, Worship Hall, the Nakamon and Torii Gates are all designated National Important Cultural Properties. The 50 stone lanterns donated by the various lords of Okazaki Castle, and the magnificence of the shrine shows the power and influence of the Tokugawa Shogunate.
The Buddhist temple and Shinto shrine complex holds an elaborate fire and Demon festival called the Oni Matsuri in early February. Part of the festival involves blessings for males aged 42, 25, and 12 in a ritual held in the main hall. Traditional ceremonial devil masks of a grandfather, a grandmother, and a young boy are worn, while about 30 men born in the year of the same zodiac sign participate in a ceremony holding burning torches. The festival is famous in the Mikawa (eastern Aichi) region as a traditional ceremony to welcome the coming spring.