Monday, September 11, 2017
Japanese Tradition and Culture: Word heritage in Kyoto(11) ---Shimokamo-jinja Shri...
Japanese Tradition and Culture: Word heritage in Kyoto(11) ---Shimokamo-jinja Shri...: Shimogamo Shrine in Japanese, is the common name of an important Shintosanctuary in the Shimogamo district of Kyoto city's Sakyō ward. ...
Word heritage in Kyoto(11) ---Shimokamo-jinja Shrine---
Shimogamo Shrine in Japanese, is the common name of an important Shintosanctuary in the Shimogamo district of Kyoto city's Sakyō ward.
Its formal name is Kamo-mioya-jinja . It is one of the oldest Shinto shrines in Japan and is one of the seventeen Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto
which have been designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. The term Kamo-jinja in Japanese is a general reference to Shimogamo Shrine and Kamigamo Shrine,
the traditionally linked Kamo shrines of Kyoto; Shimogamo is the older of the pair, being believed to be 100 years older than Kamigamo, and dating to the 6th century,
centuries before Kyoto became the capital of Japan (794, see Heian-kyō). The Kamo-jinja serve the function of protecting Kyoto from malign influences.
The jinja name identifies the Kamo family of kami or deities who are venerated. The name also refers to the ambit of shrine's nearby woods,
which are vestiges of the primeval forest of Tadasu no Mori. In addition, the shrine name references the area's early inhabitants, the Kamo clan,
many of whom continue to live near the shrine their ancestors traditionally served.
Shimogamo Shrine is dedicated to the veneration of Tamayori-hime and her father, Kamo Taketsunomi .
Tamayori-hime is the mother of Kamo Wakeikazuchi , who was sired by Honoikazuchi-no-mikoto . Kamigamo Shrine, the other of the two Kamo shrines of Kyoto,
is dedicated to Kamo Wakeikazuchi. These kami are variously associated with thunder.
The shrine became the object of Imperial patronage during the early Heian period. Shimogamo, along with the Kamigamo Shrine,
was designated as one of two chief Shinto shrines (ichinomiya) for the former Yamashiro Province. In 965, Emperor Murakami ordered that
Imperial messengers were sent to report important events to Japan's guardian kami, including Kamo-Tamayori-hime and Kamo-Taketsune.
The writer of Hōjōki, Kamo no Choumei , was the second son of one of the head priests of the shrine, Kamo no Nagatsugu .
From 1871 through 1946, Shimogamo was officially designated one of the Kanpei-taisha ,
meaning that it stood in the first rank of government supported shrines.
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Its formal name is Kamo-mioya-jinja . It is one of the oldest Shinto shrines in Japan and is one of the seventeen Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto
which have been designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. The term Kamo-jinja in Japanese is a general reference to Shimogamo Shrine and Kamigamo Shrine,
the traditionally linked Kamo shrines of Kyoto; Shimogamo is the older of the pair, being believed to be 100 years older than Kamigamo, and dating to the 6th century,
centuries before Kyoto became the capital of Japan (794, see Heian-kyō). The Kamo-jinja serve the function of protecting Kyoto from malign influences.
The jinja name identifies the Kamo family of kami or deities who are venerated. The name also refers to the ambit of shrine's nearby woods,
which are vestiges of the primeval forest of Tadasu no Mori. In addition, the shrine name references the area's early inhabitants, the Kamo clan,
many of whom continue to live near the shrine their ancestors traditionally served.
Shimogamo Shrine is dedicated to the veneration of Tamayori-hime and her father, Kamo Taketsunomi .
Tamayori-hime is the mother of Kamo Wakeikazuchi , who was sired by Honoikazuchi-no-mikoto . Kamigamo Shrine, the other of the two Kamo shrines of Kyoto,
is dedicated to Kamo Wakeikazuchi. These kami are variously associated with thunder.
The shrine became the object of Imperial patronage during the early Heian period. Shimogamo, along with the Kamigamo Shrine,
was designated as one of two chief Shinto shrines (ichinomiya) for the former Yamashiro Province. In 965, Emperor Murakami ordered that
Imperial messengers were sent to report important events to Japan's guardian kami, including Kamo-Tamayori-hime and Kamo-Taketsune.
The writer of Hōjōki, Kamo no Choumei , was the second son of one of the head priests of the shrine, Kamo no Nagatsugu .
From 1871 through 1946, Shimogamo was officially designated one of the Kanpei-taisha ,
meaning that it stood in the first rank of government supported shrines.
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Thursday, September 7, 2017
Word heritage in Kyoto(10) ---Kamikamo-jinja Shrine---
Kamigamo Shrine is an important Shinto sanctuary on the banks of the Kamo River in north Kyoto, first founded in 678. Its formal name is the Kamo-wakeikazuchi Shrine
It is one of the oldest Shinto shrines in Japan and is one of the seventeen Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyotowhich have been designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
The term Kamo-jinja in Japanese is a general reference to Shimogamo Shrine and Kamigamo Shrine, the traditionally linked Kamo shrines of Kyoto.
The Kamo-jinja serve the function of protecting Kyoto from malign influences.
The jinja name identifies the Kamo family of kami or deities who are venerated.
The name also refers to the ambit of shrine's nearby woods, which are vestiges of the primeval forest of Tadasu no Mori.
In addition, the shrine name references the area's early inhabitants, the Kamo clan, many of whom continue to live near the shrine their ancestors traditionally served.
Kamogamo Shrine is dedicated to the veneration of Kamo Wake-ikazuchi, the kami of thunder.
The shrine became the object of Imperial patronage during the early Heian period.
Records from the reign of Emperor Heizei (806-809) mention that Kamo-mioya jinja was amongst a select number of establishments which had been granted a divine seal for use on documents. The seal would have been enshrined in its own unique mikoshi (Oshite jinja).
This granting of a special seal and the practices associated with its use and preservation conformed to a pattern established by Emperor Kōnin (770–781) in 778 (Hōki9).
In 965, Emperor Murakami ordered that Imperial messengers were sent to report important events to Japan's guardian kami, including Kamo Wake-ikazuchi.
Kamigamo, along with the Shimogamo Shrine, was designated as one of two chief Shinto shrines (ichinomiya) for the former Yamashiro province.
From 1871 through 1946, Kamigamo was officially designated one of the Kanpei-taisha , meaning that it stood in the first rank of government supported shrines.
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It is one of the oldest Shinto shrines in Japan and is one of the seventeen Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyotowhich have been designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
The term Kamo-jinja in Japanese is a general reference to Shimogamo Shrine and Kamigamo Shrine, the traditionally linked Kamo shrines of Kyoto.
The Kamo-jinja serve the function of protecting Kyoto from malign influences.
The jinja name identifies the Kamo family of kami or deities who are venerated.
The name also refers to the ambit of shrine's nearby woods, which are vestiges of the primeval forest of Tadasu no Mori.
In addition, the shrine name references the area's early inhabitants, the Kamo clan, many of whom continue to live near the shrine their ancestors traditionally served.
Kamogamo Shrine is dedicated to the veneration of Kamo Wake-ikazuchi, the kami of thunder.
The shrine became the object of Imperial patronage during the early Heian period.
Records from the reign of Emperor Heizei (806-809) mention that Kamo-mioya jinja was amongst a select number of establishments which had been granted a divine seal for use on documents. The seal would have been enshrined in its own unique mikoshi (Oshite jinja).
This granting of a special seal and the practices associated with its use and preservation conformed to a pattern established by Emperor Kōnin (770–781) in 778 (Hōki9).
In 965, Emperor Murakami ordered that Imperial messengers were sent to report important events to Japan's guardian kami, including Kamo Wake-ikazuchi.
Kamigamo, along with the Shimogamo Shrine, was designated as one of two chief Shinto shrines (ichinomiya) for the former Yamashiro province.
From 1871 through 1946, Kamigamo was officially designated one of the Kanpei-taisha , meaning that it stood in the first rank of government supported shrines.
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Monday, September 4, 2017
Word heritage in Kyoto(9) ---Ninna-ji temple ---
Ninna-ji?is the head temple of the Omuro school of the?Shingon Sect?of?Buddhism.Located in western?Kyoto,?Japan, it was founded in?AD?888 by the retired?Emperor Uda. It is part of the "Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto", a?UNESCO?World Heritage Site.
Ninna-ji was founded in the early Heian period. In 886, Emperor Kōkō ordered the construction of the Nishiyama Goganji Temple to bless the nation and propagate Buddhist teachings, but he did not live to see its completion. Emperor Uda saw the construction to its completion in 888 and named it "Ninna" after the regnal year of the late Emperor Kōkō's reign. From 888 to 1869 it was traditional for reigning Emperors to send a son to the temple to take over as head priest when a vacancy arose.
After retiring from his throne, Emperor Uda became the first Monzeki, or aristocratic priest, of Ninna-ji. From then on until the end of the Edo period, the temple saw a succession of head priests of imperial lineage.
In 1467, the temple was destroyed by fire and fighting in the Ōnin War. It was rebuilt roughly 150 year later, thanks to the eldest son of Emperor Go-Yōzei, Kakushin Hosshinnō, who enlisted the help of Tokugawa Iemitsu, the third shogun of the Tokugawa shogunate. The resurrection coincided with the rebuilding of the Imperial Palace in Kyoto and thus received imperial funding.
The tradition of having aristocratic or persons of imperial lineage serve as chief of the temple ended with the 30th Monzeki, Junnin Hosshinnō in the late Edo period.
Most of the surviving buildings date from the 17th century, and include a five-story pagoda and an orchard of late blooming dwarf cherry trees called the Omuro cherry trees that would grow to around 2-3 meters in height. The temple itself features some beautifully painted screen walls, and a beautiful walled garden.
After retiring from his throne, Emperor Uda became the first Monzeki, or aristocratic priest, of Ninna-ji. From then on until the end of the Edo period, the temple saw a succession of head priests of imperial lineage.
In 1467, the temple was destroyed by fire and fighting in the Ōnin War. It was rebuilt roughly 150 year later, thanks to the eldest son of Emperor Go-Yōzei, Kakushin Hosshinnō, who enlisted the help of Tokugawa Iemitsu, the third shogun of the Tokugawa shogunate. The resurrection coincided with the rebuilding of the Imperial Palace in Kyoto and thus received imperial funding.
The tradition of having aristocratic or persons of imperial lineage serve as chief of the temple ended with the 30th Monzeki, Junnin Hosshinnō in the late Edo period.
Most of the surviving buildings date from the 17th century, and include a five-story pagoda and an orchard of late blooming dwarf cherry trees called the Omuro cherry trees that would grow to around 2-3 meters in height. The temple itself features some beautifully painted screen walls, and a beautiful walled garden.
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Friday, September 1, 2017
Japanese Tradition and Culture: Word heritage in Kyoto(8) ---Saiho-ji temple ---
Japanese Tradition and Culture: Word heritage in Kyoto(8) ---Saiho-ji temple ---: The Saiho-ji temple is one of the world heritage in Kyoto.This temple is famous for the garden covered with moss.It's very fantastic vie...
Word heritage in Kyoto(8) ---Saiho-ji temple ---
The Saiho-ji temple is one of the world heritage in Kyoto.This temple is famous for the garden covered with moss.It's very fantastic view.
Saihō-ji is a Rinzai Zen Buddhist temple located in Matsuo, Nishikyō Ward, Kyoto, Japan. The temple, which is famed for its moss garden, is commonly referred to as "Koke-dera" , meaning "moss temple", while the formal name is "Kōinzan Saihō-ji" . The temple, primarily constructed to honor Amitabha, was first founded by Gyōki and was later restored by Musō Soseki. In 1994, Saihō-ji was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as part of the "Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto". Over 120 types of moss are present in the two-tiered garden, resembling a beautiful green carpet with many subtle shades.
According to temple legend, Saihō-ji was constructed during the Nara Period by Gyōki, on the location of one of Prince Shōtoku's former retreats. The temple first operated as a Hossō temple dedicated to Amitabha, and was known as "Saihō-ji" , a homophone of the current name. The name was selected because Amitabha is the primary buddha of Western Paradise, known in Japanese as "Saihō Jōdo" . Legend states that such famous Japanese monks as Kūkai and Hōnen later served as the chief priests of the temple. Although the veracity of these legends is questionable, it is believed that such a predecessor to the current temple did, in fact, exist.
Over time, the temple fell into disrepair, and in 1339, the chief priest of the nearby Matsunoo Shrine, Fujiwara Chikahide, summoned the famous Japanese gardener Musō Soseki to help him revive Saihō-ji as a Zen temple. At this time, Musō decided to change the temple's name, to reflect its new Zen orientation. The temple became "Saihō-ji" , the name being selected not only because it was a homophone of the original name, but also because the kanji were used in phrases related to Bodhidharma: "Bodhidharma came from the West" and "Bodhidharma's teachings shall spread and come to bear fruit like a five-petaled flower" . Saihō-ji was destroyed by fire during the Ōnin War, and twice ravaged by floods during the Edo Period, but has since been rebuilt.
Ironically, the moss for which the temple is known was not part of Musō's original design. According to French historian François Berthier, the garden's "islands" were "carpeted with white sand" in the fourteenth century. The moss came much later, of its own accord during the Meiji era (1860-1912), when the monastery lacked sufficient funds for upkeep.
The famous moss garden of Saihō-ji is situated in the eastern temple grounds. Located in a grove, the garden is arranged as a circular promenade centered on Golden Pond . The pond is shaped like the Chinese character for "heart" or "mind" and contains three small islands: Asahi Island , Yūhi Island , and Kiri Island . The area around the pond is said to be covered with more than 120 varieties of moss, believed to have started growing after the flooding of the temple grounds in the Edo Period.
The garden itself contains three tea houses: Shōnan-tei, Shōan-dō , and Tanhoku-tei , which were partially inspired by phrases from the Zen work Blue Cliff Record.
Shōnan-tei was originally built during the 14th century, but was subsequently destroyed. It was later restored by Sen Shōan. Iwakura Tomomi was famously sheltered here towards the end of the Edo Period. Shōnan-tei is registered as an important cultural property.
Shōan-dō was constructed in 1920, and contains a wooden image of Sen Shōan, after whom the teahouse was named.
Tanhoku-tei was donated to the temple in 1928 by potter Zōroku Mashimizu.
The eastern temple grounds also contains the main temple hall, the study, and a three-storied pagoda.
The main hall of the temple, known as Sairai-dō , was reconstructed in 1969, and it was in this year that the current image of Amitabha was enshrined. The paintings on the sliding doors are the work of Inshō Dōmoto.
The three-storied pagoda was erected in 1978, and is used to store copies of sutras, written by Rinzai adherents. The pagoda was constructed to honor Bhaisajyaguru.
The northern temple grounds contains a Zen rock garden, and a temple hall known as Shitō-an . The arrangement of stones in the rock garden is said to be demonstrative of Musō's creative genius.
The gardens of Saihō-ji are collectively considered to be both a historical landmark and a "special place of scenic beauty" in Japan.
Other significant items within the temple grounds include a stone monument engraved with a Kyoshi Takahama haiku, and another stone monument, engraved with some of the writings of Jirō Osaragi. A portrait of Musō Soseki is considered to be an important cultural property.
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