Kaju-ji
Encyclopedia
, also sometimes spelled "Kwajū-ji" or "Kanshu-ji," is a Shingon Buddhist
temple
in Yamashina-ku, Kyoto
, Japan.
. This site is said to have been chosen because the mother of the emperor had lived a significant part of her life in this place; and after her death, the temple was established in her memory.
The temple was destroyed in 1470 during the Onin War
and then later restored by the Tokugawa family and the Imperial Household. Successive head priests have been drawn directly from the Imperial family. Mito Mitsukuni (popularly known as Mito Komon
) is said to have donated the stone lantern in front of the Shoin
.
lineage were more particularly identified as . The term was also applied to the temples and monastic communities in which they were joined; and Kajū-ji was a monzeki temple. Beginning in 942, imperial princes lived as monks at Kajū-ji.
The eldest son of head of the Fushimi-no-miya
branches of the imperial family was adopted at age two in 1818 by former-Emperor Kōkaku
. Akira-shinnō entered the priesthood under the title Siahn Hoshinnō and later became prince-abbot of Kajū-ji.
In 1842, he angered the Tokugawa bakufu, which stripped him of his post and confined him to the temple of To-ji
. In 1858, Emperor Komei
adopted Akira and granted him the title Yamashina-no-miya
. In 1864, the bakufu reinstated him.
The large pond here, also known as hamuro-no-ike is the main feature of this garden. This water-garden is known for its lotus, water lilies and irises. The temple pond was probably at one time the main element of a much larger pond and hill garden on the estate of Miyamichi Iemasu, a member of the Heian aristocracy and connected through marriage to the powerful Fujiwara family.
One famous old plum tree transplanted from the Imperial Palace in Edo Period can be viewed year round, but it is said to be best in February.
(an alternate name for the founder of Buddhism) has been passed down within the temple over the centuries. This artwork is a National Treasure which is currently held in the collection of Nara National Museum
.
Buddhism in Japan
The history of Buddhism in Japan can be roughly divided into three periods, namely the Nara period , the Heian period and the post-Heian period . Each period saw the introduction of new doctrines and upheavals in existing schools...
temple
Buddhist temples in Japan
Along with Shinto shrines, Buddhist temples are the most numerous, famous, and important religious buildings in Japan.The term "Shinto shrine" is used in opposition to "Buddhist temple" to mirror in English the distinction made in Japanese between Shinto and Buddhist religious structures. In...
in Yamashina-ku, Kyoto
Yamashina-ku, Kyoto
is one of the eleven wards in the city of Kyoto, in Kyoto Prefecture, Japan. It lies in the southeastern part of the city, and Yamashina Station is one stop away from Kyoto Station on the Tōkaidō Main Line ....
, Japan.
History
A temple has existed on this site from as early as 900 AD. Kajū-ji, known familiarly as "Kikki-san," was founded by Emperor DaigoEmperor Daigo
was the 60th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.Daigo's reign spanned the years from 897 through 930. He is named after his place of burial.-Traditional narrative:...
. This site is said to have been chosen because the mother of the emperor had lived a significant part of her life in this place; and after her death, the temple was established in her memory.
The temple was destroyed in 1470 during the Onin War
Onin War
The ' was a civil war that lasted 10 years during the Muromachi period in Japan. A dispute between Hosokawa Katsumoto and Yamana Sōzen escalated into a nationwide war involving the Ashikaga shogunate and a number of daimyo in many regions of Japan....
and then later restored by the Tokugawa family and the Imperial Household. Successive head priests have been drawn directly from the Imperial family. Mito Mitsukuni (popularly known as Mito Komon
Mito Komon
is a Japanese jidaigeki or period drama that has been on prime-time television since 1969. The title character is the historic Tokugawa Mitsukuni, former vice-shogun and retired second daimyo of the Mito domain...
) is said to have donated the stone lantern in front of the Shoin
Shoin
' is a type of audience hall in Japanese architecture that was developed during the Muromachi period. The term originally meant a study and a place for lectures on the sūtra within a temple, but later it came to mean just a drawing room or study. From this room takes its name the shoin-zukuri style...
.
Monzeki
Japanese Buddhist priests of aristocratic or imperialImperial House of Japan
The , also referred to as the Imperial Family or the Yamato Dynasty, comprises those members of the extended family of the reigning Emperor of Japan who undertake official and public duties. Under the present Constitution of Japan, the emperor is the symbol of the state and unity of the people...
lineage were more particularly identified as . The term was also applied to the temples and monastic communities in which they were joined; and Kajū-ji was a monzeki temple. Beginning in 942, imperial princes lived as monks at Kajū-ji.
The eldest son of head of the Fushimi-no-miya
Fushimi-no-miya
The ' is the oldest of the four shinnōke, branches of the Imperial Family of Japan which were eligible to succeed to the Chrysanthemum Throne in the event that the main line should die out....
branches of the imperial family was adopted at age two in 1818 by former-Emperor Kōkaku
Emperor Kokaku
was the 119th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.Kōkaku's reign spanned the years from 1780 through 1817.-Genealogy:...
. Akira-shinnō entered the priesthood under the title Siahn Hoshinnō and later became prince-abbot of Kajū-ji.
In 1842, he angered the Tokugawa bakufu, which stripped him of his post and confined him to the temple of To-ji
To-ji
is a Buddhist temple of the Shingon sect in Kyoto, Japan. Its name means East Temple, and it once had a partner, Sai-ji . They stood alongside the Rashomon, the gate to the Heian capital. It is formally known as which indicates that it previously functioned as a temple providing protection for the...
. In 1858, Emperor Komei
Emperor Komei
was the 121st emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. Kōmei's reign spanned the years from 1846 through 1867.-Genealogy:Before Kōmei's accession to the Chrysanthemum Throne, his personal name was ;, his title was ....
adopted Akira and granted him the title Yamashina-no-miya
Prince Yamashina Akira
align=right|' , was the founder of a collateral line of the Japanese imperial family.-Early life:Prince Akira was born in Kyoto, the eldest son of Prince Fushimi Kuniye , the twentieth head of the Fushimi-no-miya, the oldest of the four branches of the imperial dynasty allowed to provide a...
. In 1864, the bakufu reinstated him.
Garden and pond
Kajū-ji is renowned for its gardens and its water-lily pond. The garden would originally have been used for boating and poem-writing parties, but today one can still stroll through the site.The large pond here, also known as hamuro-no-ike is the main feature of this garden. This water-garden is known for its lotus, water lilies and irises. The temple pond was probably at one time the main element of a much larger pond and hill garden on the estate of Miyamichi Iemasu, a member of the Heian aristocracy and connected through marriage to the powerful Fujiwara family.
One famous old plum tree transplanted from the Imperial Palace in Edo Period can be viewed year round, but it is said to be best in February.
Art
A tapestry image of the preaching Shaka-NyoraiGautama Buddha
Siddhārtha Gautama was a spiritual teacher from the Indian subcontinent, on whose teachings Buddhism was founded. In most Buddhist traditions, he is regarded as the Supreme Buddha Siddhārtha Gautama (Sanskrit: सिद्धार्थ गौतम; Pali: Siddhattha Gotama) was a spiritual teacher from the Indian...
(an alternate name for the founder of Buddhism) has been passed down within the temple over the centuries. This artwork is a National Treasure which is currently held in the collection of Nara National Museum
Nara National Museum
The is one of the pre-eminent national art museums in Japan.-Introduction:The Nara National Museum is located in Nara, which was the capital of Japan from 710 to 784. Katayama Tōkuma designed the original building, which is a representative Western-style building of the Meiji period and has been...
.
See also
- List of Buddhist temples in Kyoto
- For an explanation of terms concerning Japanese Buddhism, Japanese Buddhist art, and Japanese Buddhist temple architecture, see the Glossary of Japanese BuddhismGlossary of Japanese BuddhismThis is the glossary of Japanese Buddhism, including major terms the casual reader might find useful in understanding articles on the subject. Words followed by an asterisk are illustrated by an image in one of the photo galleries...
.
External links
- Panoramio: image of temple + Google map