Sanjusan-Gen-Do (Kyoto)

The only hall in Japan where one thousand Kannons (gods of mercy) are enshrined.

Officially named the Rengeo-in (Hall of the Lotus King), was built by Kiyomori Taira (the political leader of the Samurai Warriors) in 1164 (2nd Chokan era) as an annex to the Houjouji Palace where the agency governed by the cloistered Emperor Goshirakawa was located. The hall was destroyed by fire 85 years later and was reconstructed in 1266 (3rd Bunei era). Since its 1266 reconstruction, it has undergone four major reconstructions over approximately 750 years. These were carried out in the Muromachi, Momoyama, Edo and Showa periods. The distinctive hall is 118 meters in length. The roof was built in the two Japanese architectural styles called Irimoya (hip-and-gable roof) and Honkawarabuki (fired clay tiled roof covering) while the timber hall itself is built with cypress. The halls common name is San-ju-san-Gen-Do which means thirty three bays (the length between two architectural pillars). One thousand armed Kannon (a national treasure) sits in the center surrounded by 1001 bodies of the thousand-armed Kannon (important cultural properties), as well as 30 national treasures consisting of the Wind god, Thunder god and 28 guardian deities. The southern section of the precinct has Tsuijibei formal style fence which is commonly known as the Taiko (Hideyoshi) plastered wall. The fence, along with the large southern gate are both considered important cultural treasures, and were built in the Momoyama Period when Hideyoshi Toyotomi (Ministerial Samurai Warrior) exerted a great influence on the architects of the day. The temple is host of an annual archery competition held on the temple grounds in the rear of the main building. No photography is permitted inside.

Main hall with fortunes tied to the stand.

Main gate

Temple pond



Small wash basin typically found directly outside temples and shrines for purification. For purification, the cup is dipped into the basin and water poured over the hands. The red clothing on the statues is a temple offering for unborn life.

Shoden-ji Temple (Kyoto)

Shoden-ji Temple is rather obscure but it has charm. The charm the temple holds comes from incorporating the view of Hiei-zan (Mount Hiei). The technique of borrowing a view to incorporate into the garden is called Shakkei, which means "borrowed scenery." Kobori Enshu designed the garden with Mount Hiei as the focal point. The temple is said to have been founded in 1268 and moved to its present location in 1282. Like Genko-an Temple, the main building's ceiling is made of planks from the tragedy at Fushimijo Castle.

Stone stairs leading up to Shoden-ji Temple

Main Building

Temple Altar

Temple Garden

Mount Hiei view (Shakkei)

Forest adjacent Temple

Temple Daruma

Temple Bell

Genko-an Temple (Kyoto)

Established in 1346 as a place of retirement for the second head priest of Daitoku-ji Temple. The main hall dates from that year. The temple is famous for the two windows expressing the soul of Buddhism, the round "Window of Enlightenment" and the square "Window of Confusion." Dark stains on the ceiling of the corridor along the Main Hall are remains of the tragedy at Fushimijo Castle. During the battle of Sekigahara (circa 1600) a number of more than 380 soldiers were protecting Fushimijo Castle. As they were defending the castle, rather than face surrender the soldiers committed suicide, staining the Castle floors red. Fushimijo was dismantled after the Meiji Resortoration and the materials were distributed among temples and other buildings throughout the region.

Niomon at Genko-an Temple

Temple Bell

Temple Garden

Window of Enlightenment and the Window of Confusion

Temple Altar

Palanquins (Kago) were often used in Japan to transport the warrior class and nobility, most famously during the Tokugawa period when regional samurai were required to spend a part of the year in Edo (Tokyo) with their families, resulting in yearly migrations of the rich and powerful to and from the capital along the central backbone road of Japan.

Ceremonial Drum

Temple Ceiling

Temple Niomon

Ninna-ji Temple

Founded in 886 with retired emperor Uda as its first abbot, Ninna-ji became the first of Kyoto's monzeki - temples whose abbots came from the imperial family.

Ninna-ji Temple's Niomon

Ninna-ji Temple features Shinden-style covered walkways

Thatched gate and Niomon at Ninna-ji Temple

Ninna-ji Temple Garden

Ryoan-ji Temple

Ryoan-ji Temple (The Temple of the Peaceful Dragon) is a Zen temple located in northwest Kyoto. The temple grounds covers about 120 acre's including the scenic mountains. Kyoyochi Pond-Oshidoriike, is famous along with Osawanoike in Daikakuji Temple from the Heian period (794-1192). The two ancient ponds were a well-known habitat for mandarin ducks until the end of the Meiji period (about 1900). The rock garden consists of 15 rocks expertly laid out into a bed of white gravel. The rock garden express's spiritual enlightenment of Zen Satori, and tell of infinite teachings.

Sacred Water

Sairin-ji Temple is 48th of the 88 sacred temples of Shikoku. There is a legend regarding a pond west of this temple, which is known as "Jo-no-fuchi' (Depths of the Staff). Long ago when people were suffering from a drought, Kobo-Daishi prayed at sunrise, and thrust his staff into the ground, this caused water to gush into the air. That spring flows constantly and has been designated as one of Japan's 100 famous bodies of water.

Visited Ishite-ji temple during my visit to Matsuyama. It is called the temple of the 'stone in the hand' and there is a parable of how the temple came into existence. It is an old temple which is situated on the Ishite river and was built in 728. Ishite-ji is one of the 88 temples on the sacred piligramage on Shikoku island.