syokokuji
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TEL :075-231-0301 Address :701, Sokokuji Monzencho, Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto Access :Karasuma Subway Line Imadegawa Station > 7 minutes walk |
Introduction to Syokokuji temple
Shokokuji Temple was founded at the end of the 14th century by Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, the third shogun of the Muromachi shogunate.
This is the head temple of the Shokokuji branch of the Rinzai school of Zen Buddhism. It is also the second-ranked temple among the five leading Zen Buddhist temples in Kyoto. The famous Kinkakuji and Ginkakuji temples are sub-temples of Shokokuji temple.
The Dharma hall, built in 1605, is the oldest example of a Dharma hall architecture in Japan. It measures 28.72m (94.23ft) at the front and 22.80m (74.8ft) on the sides.
The main deity is Sakyamuni, flanked on either side by his disciples, Ananda and Kasyapa. There is a painting of a dragon on the ceiling.
This dragon is called the “singing dragon” because clapping your hands beneath it causes the sound to echo.
The Shotenkaku Museum is located within the temple grounds. This museum houses numerous cultural artifacts, including 5 national treasures and 145 important cultural properties.
A mysterious story is told about the Sotan Inari Shrine located within the temple grounds. Around the 17th century, a white fox lived in this area and would meditate and play Go with the monks. This shrine was built to commemorate this fox.
