Toji Temple and Yashima Shrine Pavilion [Kyoto]

【summary】

Toji Temple is the head temple of the Shingon sect of Buddhism. The Shingon sect is a Mahayana Buddhist sect founded by Kukai in the early 9th century and is one of the Japanese Buddhist sects. Its official name is Kyo-o-gokoku-ji Temple, and it is one of the cultural assets of the ancient capital of Kyoto, a World Heritage Site. The temple was built over 1,200 years ago to protect the capital from the relocation of the capital to Heian-kyo. The West Temple has fallen into decline and now only remains, but the East Temple was later entrusted by Emperor Saga to Kobo Daishi, and has become the first Shingon esoteric Buddhism temple in Japan. It is famous for its five-story pagoda, the tallest in Japan, its monthly flea market, and its 130-year-old Fuji-zakura cherry tree.

【precincts】

Once inside the gate, the temple grounds are spacious. The main hall, Mikageido, enshrines Kobo Daishi and Fudo Myoo. There are other halls and shrines on the temple grounds.

There are many historical buildings such as the five-story pagoda and Kondo Hall, and there are numerous attractions. The “three-dimensional mandala,” a visual representation of the teachings of esoteric Buddhism, in the lecture hall, a building built by Kukai to propagate and spread esoteric Buddhism, is a must-see. Please note that photography is prohibited.

The five-story pagoda is the focus of most people’s attention, but Yashima Shrine, the origin of To-ji Temple, is also located within the temple grounds. The shrine is dedicated to Okuninushi no Mikoto, the deity of the landowners who resided there before To-ji Temple was built. According to Kojiki, Japan’s oldest history book, and Nihonshoki, Japan’s oldest authentic history, Okuninushi no Mikoto is the sixth grandson of Susano no Mikoto, the god who created the country of Japan. He is also regarded as the ancestral deity of the Izumo no Kuni no Miyatsuko and the deity of Izumo Taisha Shrine.

It is not unusual to find shrines within Buddhist temples, but the tradition of carefully preserving the ancient beliefs without exterminating them is truly wonderful.

【scenery】

Originally built in 826 A.D., the pagoda was destroyed by fire four times, including by lightning, and the current five-story pagoda is the fifth, which was rebuilt in 1644 with donations from Tokugawa Iemitsu. In autumn, the pagoda is beautifully illuminated with autumn leaves, giving it a different beauty and solemnity than during the daytime.

【Nearby attractions】

Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine [Kyoto]

【Access】

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