In the record of pilgrimage of Gyoson (about the end of 11th century) in "The Record of High Priest at A Temple" which has been regarded as the oldest reliable historical material regarding Saigoku Sanju-san-ka-sho pilgrimage, the honzon of Chomei-ji Temple is 'short Senju', and in the record of pilgrimage of Kakuchu (in 1161) also in "The Record of High Priest at A Temple," the honzon is regarded as 'short Sho Kannon,' so it is obvious from the records that the honzon was replaced in the past.
西国三十三所巡礼に関する確実な史料で最古のものとされる『寺門高僧記』所収の行尊の巡礼記（11世紀末頃）では長命寺の本尊を「三尺千手」としており、同じく『寺門高僧記』所収の覚忠の巡礼記（応保元年・1161年）では本尊を「三尺聖観音」とするなど、古い時代に本尊が入れ替わっていることが記録から伺える。