Nanzen-ji Temple in Sakyo-ku, Kyoto!
- 12 years ago
Nanzen-ji temple was founded in 1291 by the imperial order, and is the headquarters of the Nanzen-ji school of the Rinzai Sect. The detached palace established by Emperor Kameyama for his mother, Omiyain, was converted into the temple in 1291. In 1334, it became the first in the ranking system of the Kyoto Gozan (five great Zen temples in Kyoto). Later, Shogun Yoshimitsu Ashikaga ranked it the highest, even above the five temples.
Nanzenji's massive Sanmon entrance gate, which extends over the treetops. The gate was constructed in 1628 by the ruling Tokugawa clan for soldiers who died in the siege of Osaka Castle in 1615. It is possible to climb up to the gate's balcony, from where the view extends across the city. Behind the gate is the Hatto (Dharma Hall), a large lecture hall which cannot be entered by the public.
The Hojo (main building) comprises Oo (Large)-hojo, (Seiryo-den) and Ko (Small)-hojo. Many of the wall paintings in these halls are designated as Important Cultural Assets. Sho-hojo has a room named “Tora-no Ma (Room of Tigers)” with “Gunko Zu (Picture of Gathered Tigers),” reportedly drawn by Tanyu Kano. The garden in front of Oo-hojo is a representative rock and sand garden reportedly made by Enshu Kobori, the design of which is famous as Tora-no-ko-watashi (a mother tiger trying to let her cubs cross a river).
The huge, Zen-style Sanmon Gate was donated by Takatora Todo. From its top, you can enjoy a fine view of Kyoto City.
Nanzenji's massive Sanmon entrance gate, which extends over the treetops. The gate was constructed in 1628 by the ruling Tokugawa clan for soldiers who died in the siege of Osaka Castle in 1615. It is possible to climb up to the gate's balcony, from where the view extends across the city. Behind the gate is the Hatto (Dharma Hall), a large lecture hall which cannot be entered by the public.
The Hojo (main building) comprises Oo (Large)-hojo, (Seiryo-den) and Ko (Small)-hojo. Many of the wall paintings in these halls are designated as Important Cultural Assets. Sho-hojo has a room named “Tora-no Ma (Room of Tigers)” with “Gunko Zu (Picture of Gathered Tigers),” reportedly drawn by Tanyu Kano. The garden in front of Oo-hojo is a representative rock and sand garden reportedly made by Enshu Kobori, the design of which is famous as Tora-no-ko-watashi (a mother tiger trying to let her cubs cross a river).
The huge, Zen-style Sanmon Gate was donated by Takatora Todo. From its top, you can enjoy a fine view of Kyoto City.