comment
The moving sliding door paintings in Shinkinden are famous and are said to be the work of Kano Doun of the Edo Period, using a technique known as reverse perspective. It is a very rare piece of artwork, so please enjoy it. The garden, called Bansuien, is also a must-see.
open
Description
One of only 13 Monzeki temples that were headed by imperial princes in all of Japan, and a very prestigious place. The principal deity of the temple is Bishamonten, which was carved for Emperor Kanmu, who moved the capital of Japan to Heian-kyo (modern-day Kyoto), by Saicho, founder of Enryakuji Temple on Mt. Hiei, the mountain considered to be the birthplace of Japanese Buddhism. The temple was rebuilt at its present location in the early Edo Period (17th century). Visitors flock to the temple grounds to see the magnificent weeping cherry blossoms in the spring, the turning leaves in the autumn, and for New Year’s festivities, but you can enjoy its serene atmosphere throughout the year. One particular highlight is the fusuma wall panels known as the “Moving Fusuma”. Created by artist Kano Masunobu, this work creates the appearance, as the viewer moves, of the direction of the desk on the fusuma changing and the boat appearing to move forward. This is done using a technique known as inverse perspective, in which the viewer is at the center of the image regardless of the viewing angle. Another feature of Bishamon-do is that paintings that should not move, such as the dragon on the ceiling and carp by Maruyama Okyo, appear to move. In autumn, the stone steps under Chokushimon Gate are colored bright red with fallen maple leaves, earning it many admirers as scenery called “Shiki Momiji” (“Bed of Red Maple Leaves”).
This manuscript was edited in the 5th century by Xiao Ziliang, second son of Emperor Wu, second emperor of the Southern Qi during China’s Northern and Southern Dynasties Period. It is said to have been introduced to Japan by Kobo Daishi Kukai, and the manuscript handed down at this temple dates back to the Kamakura Period. The current writing styles of Chinese characters include Kaisho (regular), Gyosho (semi-cursive), Sosho (cursive), and Reisho (clerical), but various writing styles that do not fit into these categories are referred to as Zattaisho (miscellaneous scripts), and you can see some very dynamic characters. The text is well written for a manuscript, and the pictographs, which are called Senninsho (“hermit calligraphy”) may not be decipherable as they are, but they are indeed expressive and interesting.
This commentary on the Nirvana Sutra, a very important Buddhist scripture, was compiled in China during the Tang Dynasty by Wei Shen. After being compiled in Tang China, this commentary was introduced to Japan during the Nara Period (710-794) and copied during the reign of Emperor Shomu, but only six of the 30 scrolls still exist today, one of those being this scroll in the temple’s collection. In addition to the kyozo, which houses a variety of sutras, there are many other storehouses on the grounds of Bishamon-do Temple. The current kyozo is a hall with a thousand-armed Kannon as its main deity, and is located in front of Benten-do, which enshrines the immortal deity Benzaiten that is said to have been donated by Kita-no-Mandokoro. The view when looking from the back of the main hall toward Benten-do is filled with beautiful maple trees, which also makes it a popular spot for pre-wedding photos.
Toin Kinsada was a court noble during the Nanbokucho Period (14th century) and was promoted to Sadaijin (Minister of the Left), the highest permanent position. He is also known for compiling the “Sonpi Bunmyaku”, a collection of genealogical records of various families. This diary has great value as a source of information about the situation in the world during the period of upheaval in the Nanbokucho Period, when the Emperor's family was divided into Northern and Southern dynasties and the various feudal lords were involved in the ongoing turmoil.
In the time when Toin Kinsada lived, Bishamon-do was not located in Yamashina, but in the northeast area of the Gosho (imperial palace). The temple suffered damage in the subsequent war in Kyoto (Onin War) and was moved to its current location in the early Edo Period (17th century). Although it is a prestigious temple that has welcomed many members of the imperial family as its successive chief priests, Bishamon-do is a quiet temple located deep in the heart of Yamashina, with a Honden, Reiden, Shinden, and more on its grounds, making it a temple of both prestige and peace of mind.
Cultural property information
【Opening hours】
9:00-17:00 (Reception 16:30) Dec~Feb 9:00-16:30
【Closing day】
ー
【Fee】
Adults 500 yen Junior high and high school students 400 yen Elementary school students 300yen Group of 15 1 discount Handicapped 250 yen
【External link】
