Amidanyoraizo
(Daikou-in temple)
The 4 Buddha statues of a height of about 82 cm that are enshrined at the Daikou-in temple in Nishifunabasama, Shibata-machi.
It is said that these statues sweat waterdrops when there is imminent disaster to the village and is also called "sweating Buddha".
There used to be a wooden temple at Honfunabasama but since it was falling down, it was transferred in 1969 to Daikou-in temple and it is now enshrined in a concrete structure for protection from fire. (The temple is usually kept locked)
The iron Buddha has a carving that says the 3rd year of Bunei period (1266) and is a cast from the Kamakura period (circa 1185-1333).
They were registered in Miyagi Prefecture as designated cultural property in April 18, 1969.
Lore surrounding Amidanyorai
Once upon a time, a daughter of a power and rich family was suffering from illness.
A monk who was journeying was consulted at that time, and was told that the "reason for the daughter's illness was the large snake living in the swamp". The monk continued and said "Create one ship and 5 steel statues of the Amidanyorai and sink these in the swamp and the daughter would get better".
When they did as the monk suggested, the daughter recovered from her illness, and after pulling out only the 4 Amidanyorai statues, these were used to collect more faith from the people.
Shokozan, Daikou-in temple
Daikou-in temple is a temple for the Shingishingonshu sect and has a history of more than 1260 years, and is said to have had some historical relationship with the Shokozan Daikou-in temple in Yamagata Prefecture.
In the compound, the temple with the Amidanyorai statues, as well as the guardian deity of children and a large Fudomyooh (Acala) statue as well, and is a very large temple within Shibata-machi.
