Myokoji Temple, which is being opened to the public in the Kyoto Winter Special
for the first time, is surrounded by a bamboo forest, and is the Jissatsu temple
for the Rinzai Kenninji Sect.
In the Muromachi Period, this distinguished temple was ranked #8 in the “Kyoto”
list of great temples.
It is also the location of the national treasure “Fujin Raijinzu Byobu”, created
by Tawaraya Sotatsu.
The temple originated when it was converted from being the mountain villa of Fujiwara
Morotsugu in 1285, and though the temple buildings were lost as the temple weathered
war and conflict, it was reconstructed in 1639.
It was the charter temple for the three emperors Kameyama, Godaigo, and Gomurakami,
and the Emperor Godaigo is said to have stayed there when fleeing from Yoshino.
Inside the Hojo is the “Jingi no Ma”, a place where three sacred treasures are
said to have been placed together at once.
In addition to the statue of Fukeshu sect founder Hotto Kokushi, the principal
image and Shaka Nyorai Buddha statue are also located here.
With this rare event, reproduction painting of the “Fujin Raijinzu Byobu”, which
was the original temple treasure of Myokoji Temple, as well as other items, will
be viewable.
SPECIAL OPENINGS
Myoko-ji Temple
This temple was once very revered (the Emperor even stayed there).
The famous Fujinraijinzu folding partition was originally drawn for this temple.
The gold “Fujinrai Jinzu Byobu” folding screen picture was created in the early Edo Period (early 17th century) by famed artist Tawaraya Sotatsu. Its motifs are the god of wind and the god of thunder.
It is a piece which is sufficiently famous to appear in every textbook of Japanese history and art, and its reproduction will be on display.
Jingi no Ma is a room in which the three sacred treasures, which symbolize the authority of the Japanese emperor, were once kept.
Address : 3, Utano Kaminotani-cho, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, 616-8252
Access : City Bus: Fukuoji jinja stop/Keifuku Rlwy: Utano -walk 10 min
Time of opening to the public : 10:00 - 16:00
Admission fees : 600 yen.
Period of opening to the public : January 10 - March 18, 2009.
*May be closed for Buddhist service without notice.
