Kannon at Hasedera: Guanyin (觀音, also written as 觀世音, Guānshìyīn in Chinese; Kannon 観音 in Japanese) is one of the most widely revered figures in East Asian Buddhism. The name literally means “Perceiver of Sounds (of the World),” referring to her compassionate vow to listen to the cries of suffering beings and offer salvation. In Japan, Kannon worship flourished in pilgrimage routes such as the Saigoku Sanjūsansho and Bandō Sanjūsansho, where devotees visit 33 temples dedicated to her.
