Kôfukuji

April 18, 2016 by Brennan Duff in Temples

Kôfukuji was founded in 668 by Emperor Tenji, and is one of the oldest and grandest of the temples in Japan. Located in Nara, the first Imperial capital of Japan, Kôfukuji was considered one of the four great temples of the Nara period, and one of the seven great temples on the Heian period. It earned these titles by receiving many many years of patronage from the powerful Fujiwara clan and the Imperial family. Kôfukuji grew throughout its history but lost most of its property with the religious reformations in the Meiji period (19th century), but has stabilized in recent years. Kôfukuji is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

For the casual: 9. For the educated: 9.

Kôfukuji, like many temples right now, are undergoing some major renovations over the next few years, so it might be hard for some to truly imagine how great Kôfukuji is. That being said, visitors can enter the Golden Hall which houses the oldest Buddhist statues in Japan, can visit the Octagonal Hall, and many many other smaller halls and pagodas. Most of the buildings at Kôfukuji are considered at least Important Cultural Assets if not National Treasures.

Do Not Feed the Deer!!!!

Eastern Golden Hall (National Treasure) and Five Story Pagoda (National Treasure)

Byôdô-in and the Hôôdô

April 18, 2016 by Brennan Duff in Temples

Byôdô-in is a Buddhist temple of the Jodo Pure Land sect in the city of Uji just south of Kyoto. Originally built in 998 as a villa for renowned Heian-period aristocrat Fujiwara Michinaga, it was later converted into a temple by Michinaga's son Yorimichi in 1052. The crown jewel of Byôdô-in is a hall called the Hôôdô, or Phoenix Hall. Though the rest of the temple has been lost to repetitive fires, the Hôôdô has not and stands as one of the few buildings in Japan that are still standing from the Heian Period. The Hôôdô is known for its striking architecture, but it is also renown for its statue of Amida Buddha carved by Jocho, one of the most celebrated sculptors of the time. Jocho's statues represent the figures with a very comfortable and relaxed body shape. With the Amida Buddha in the Hôôdô, Amida has a gentle round face and rounded shoulders to show that he is at peace, a contrast to the stern and rigid statues that predate it. The combination of the building and the statue makes the Hôôdô one of the most iconic buildings in Japan. If visitors cannot make it there, you can find it on the back of the 10 yen coin.

For the casual: 7. For the educated: 9.

As much as I love this hall, I find it very hard for people to appreciate it without the historical and art historical significance being explained, and as much as I would love to explain it to everyone, I really don't have the time or space to write it all out. So please believe me when I say that if you don't know the nitty-gritty significance but want to see a building that radiates history, please oh please go to Byôdô-in. There is a museum right behind the hall which houses many of the treasures that once were kept in the temple.

Tôfukuji (Kyoto Gozan #4)

April 12, 2016 by Brennan Duff in Temples

Built in 1236, Tôfukuji is a temple of the Rinzai Zen sect in southeastern Kyoto. It's name is a combination of characters from two of the most famous and earliest temples in Japan, Tôdaiji and Kôfukuji in the first Imperial capital of Japan, Nara. Tôfukuji is known for the beauty of the complex but in particular its Sanmon Gate which is listed as a National Treasure by the state, and its Heavenly Bridge which crosses a shallow ravine filled with Japanese Maple trees.

For the casual: 10. For the educated: 10.

Tôfukuji is one of my favorite temples in Kyoto because of how beautiful it is. The Heavenly Bridge is one of the defining characteristics of the temple which makes for amazing sights from spring to fall. As the maple leaves change into their iconic oranges and reds, the entire ravine is filled with their warm colors. During this time of the year, hundreds to thousands of people make their way to Tôfukuji with their expensive cameras in order to capture their beauty. Therefore, if you are visiting Kyoto in November, be prepared to wait in lines to see the leaves.

Across the bridge from the main complex is a secluded rock garden and pond which leaves you time to ponder with only the sounds of the creatures around you to fill the atmosphere. When you're done, you can wander around the halls and see the amazing architecture that has been standing for centuries.

The Heavenly Bridge from the street below.

Kiyomizu-dera

April 12, 2016 by Brennan Duff in Temples

Built in 778 overlooking the city of Kyoto from its eastern hillside, Kiyomizu-dera was constructed before Kyoto was founded as the Imperial Capital of Japan in the 9th century. Kiyomizu-dera is the home of worship to the Bodhisattva of Compassion, Kannon. The main hall which stands on the side of a cliff, was named a National Treasure of the state before it was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ancient Kyoto. The Kiyomizu Stage, the balcony of the main hall, stands atop 12m tall ceder pillars which do not use nails in the construction and provides a grand view of the city of Kyoto.

For the casual: 9. For the educated: 8.

I'll start with the bad because afterwards there's so much good to talk about. The only real issue with the temple is that it's a major tourist attraction and so it will often be filled with visitors. Ok, now that that's done with, time to move onto the fun stuff!!! First off, wow. Kiyomizu-dera is beautiful and breathtaking. There are several fun experiences to take place at the temple. There is a dark hall you can go to, perfect if visiting in the hot summer months, near the front of the temple. You pay 100 yen and get to enter this pitch black cavern called Tainai-Meguri, or the Womb of the Daizuigu Bodhisattva. You walk along this dark corridor until you come across a stone in Sanskrit bathed in a single ray of light where you make a wish before returning to the darkness. When you're done with that, you can move on to the main hall or Jishu Shrine where you can complete tasks in the name of finding true love.

Going to the main hall is one of the most amazing experiences. Like advertised, it is the crowning jewel of Kiyomizu-dera. The view from the balcony is one of the best you can find. Lots of people will be there so be aware. When I was there, Kiyomizu-dera was preparing for construction so not everything may be open for the next few years. That being said, enjoy the walk around the Main Hall, visit the natural spring below, and be sure to take plenty of pictures.