Nishi Honganji Temple in Kyoto
Japan - Fukuoka - Kobe - Nagoya - Tokyo - Osaka - Hiroshima - Kyoto - Yokohama -
Nishi Honganji, the headquarters of the original Jodo-shinshu sect of Buddhism was founded in 1602 by the Shogun Tokugawa leyasu following the split of the main Honganji temple in Kyoto into two parts: the Eastern (Higashi Honganji) and the Western (Nishi Honganji) Temple.
The temple is an outstanding display of the Momoyama architecture and believed to house some of the finest artifacts of Japanese culture including one of the oldest Noh drama stages in Japan. Several gardens and courtyards sprawl over the temple’s spacious grounds. The Goei-do and Hiunkaku buildings, and the Kara-mon Gate are some of the important structures of the Nishi temple. The most significant building of the temple is the Shoin. It has a unique collection of 16th century Japanese art in the form of wall paintings and decorations.
Hondo, the main hall of the Nishi temple, was reconstructed in 1760 following its destruction by the great fires. It has a number of well-decorated fine rooms with colorful paintings on a gold ground by the unknown artists belonging to the Japan’s Kano school of art. A statue of Amida carved by a master of the Kauga School is also there in Hondo. The side rooms contain statues of Shotoku-taishi (573-621) and Ho-nen (1133-1212).
A much-honored statue of Shinran, which dates back to 1244 and is believed, to be carved by the master himself adorns the Daishi-do (Founder's Hall). Following the death of Shinran the statue was covered by a coat of lacquer mixed with ashes. An inscription done by the Emperor Meiji with two Chinese characters (ken-shin) adds grandeur to the entrance of the Daishi-do. An intricately decorated gate, Seimon, stands in front the Founder's Hall.
The Daishoin or Treasury is another famous building of the Nishi-Honganji Temple in Kyoto. Initially a part of Kyoto’s Fushimi Castle, it was shifted to its present location in 1632 along with its delicately carved gateway Kara-mon. Several rooms of this building are named in accordance with the wall & ceiling paintings, which adorn them. The paintings are mostly the creations of the artists of Japan’s Kano School.
The work of Maruyama Ozui and Kano Ryokei decorates the Sparrow Room (Suzume-no-ma). The paintings of Kano Ryokei are placed in the Room of the Wild Geese (Gan-no-ma). Flower pictures in gold and white by Kaiho Yusetsu (17th C) and works by Kano Hidenobu and Kano Koi add to the brilliance of the Chrysanthemum Room (Kiku-no-ma).
The Stork Room (Ko-no-ma), the once Abbott’s audience chamber, contains the paintings of Kano Tanyu, Kano Ryokei and Maruyama Okyo.
Another famous room the temple called Shimei-no-ma or Siro-shoin is decorated with the artistic creations of Kano Koi, Kaiho Yusetsu and Kano Ryotaku, brought from Fushimi Castle.
Only a small part of this spectacular Buddhist structure is freely open to the common people. To have a glimpse of the remaining structures of this outstanding Momoyama architecture one has to submit application in advance to the temple offices.
| Hotels in Kyoto | |
| Hotel Ana | Hotel Tokyu |
| Hotel Royal | Hotel Righa Royal |
| Hotel Aranvert | Hotel Court |
