Kuonji
Encyclopedia
Kuon-ji is a major temple in Yamanashi Prefecture
, Japan. It is the head temple of the Buddhist sect, Nichiren Shu
. Locally it is referred to as the Minobu-san Temple, after the mountain upon which it is built.
It is famous for its 287 steps of stone stairs known locally as "the steps of enlightenment
", which are climbed by chanting pilgrim
s regularly each year. The golden dragon
painted on the black ceiling of the main temple is a notable feature usually pointed out by monks at the temple as the dragon has five toes, making it a Japanese dragon.
The blossoming of thousands of cherry trees, including the hundred-year-old weeping cherry tree in the garden, also makes this temple a popular tourist destination.
Over 1.5 million people visit the temple annually. It is reached by bus or car and then climbing the 287 steps, or alternatively scaling the sloping road which curves around the back of the temple.
Behind the temple proper is a cable car which takes tourists and pilgrims up to the top of the mountain and further temple buildings.
Yamanashi Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūbu region of the island of Honshū. The capital is the city of Kōfu.-Pre-history to the 14th century:People have been living in the Yamanashi area for about 30,000 years...
, Japan. It is the head temple of the Buddhist sect, Nichiren Shu
Nichiren Shu
Nichiren Shū is the name of a confederation of several Nichiren Buddhist schools that go back to Nichiren's original disciples...
. Locally it is referred to as the Minobu-san Temple, after the mountain upon which it is built.
It is famous for its 287 steps of stone stairs known locally as "the steps of enlightenment
Enlightenment
-Culture:*Age of Enlightenment, period in Western history and its corresponding movement*Enlightenment , a final blessed state free from ignorance, desire and suffering*Enlightenment in Western secular tradition*Enlightenment in Buddhism...
", which are climbed by chanting pilgrim
Pilgrim
A pilgrim is a traveler who is on a journey to a holy place. Typically, this is a physical journeying to some place of special significance to the adherent of a particular religious belief system...
s regularly each year. The golden dragon
Golden Dragon
Golden Dragon is a popular Chinese motif that can refer to several items:*Asian arowana, also known as the golden dragon fish*Domain of the Golden Dragon, an unofficial United States Navy certificate given for crossing of the 180th Meridian *Golden Dragon , a China-based manufacturer of buses and...
painted on the black ceiling of the main temple is a notable feature usually pointed out by monks at the temple as the dragon has five toes, making it a Japanese dragon.
The blossoming of thousands of cherry trees, including the hundred-year-old weeping cherry tree in the garden, also makes this temple a popular tourist destination.
Over 1.5 million people visit the temple annually. It is reached by bus or car and then climbing the 287 steps, or alternatively scaling the sloping road which curves around the back of the temple.
Behind the temple proper is a cable car which takes tourists and pilgrims up to the top of the mountain and further temple buildings.