- Home
- Koryu-ji Temple (Miroku Bosatsu,location,history)
Koryu-ji Temple (Miroku Bosatsu,location,history)
Koryu-ji Temple, Miroku Bosatsu
The information about Koryu-ji Temple is presented here. There are two Miroku Bosatsu statues in Koryu-ji Temple, both of which are designated national treasures and are currently housed in the Reihoden. Hokan Miroku Bosatsu is about 123 cm tall and sits about 84 cm high, with his right hand resting lightly on his cheek in a contemplative pose. Naki Miroku Bosatsu is about 90 cm tall and sits about 66 cm high, with his right hand on his cheek and a somber expression with large eyes and moist pupils. Naki Miroku Bosatsu appears to be crying and is said to be Naki Miroku Bosatsu.
【Koryu-ji Temple Location Map & Directions】
Address: 32 Uzumasa Hachioka-cho, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan
Access (How to get there): Uzumasa Koryuji mae bus stop (about 2 minutes on foot), Randen Uzumasa Koryuji Station (about 2 minutes on foot), JR Uzumasa Station (about 13 minutes on foot)
【Opening Hours & Closed (confirmation required)】
Opening Hours: 9:00-17:00 (March-November), 9:00-16:30 (December-February)
Closed: open year round
【Entrance Fees & Tickets (confirmation required)】
Individual: Adults 700 yen, high school students: 500 yen, Junior High and Elementary School Students 400 yen
【Koryu-ji Temple History】
It is said that Koryu-ji Temple (広隆寺) was founded in 603 by Hata no Kawakatsu with Miroku Bosatsu, a statue of Buddha given by Prince Shotoku-taishi, the second prince of the 31st Emperor Yomei, as its main statue and named Hachiokadera Temple. Koryu-ji Temple is a clan temple of the Hata clan and is said to be the oldest temple in Kyoto. According to the oldest official history of the Japan, “Nihon Shoki”, Prince Shotoku-taishi asked the retainers, “I have a precious Buddha statue, but is there anyone who worships it?” and it is said that Hata no Kawakatsu took over the Buddha statue and founded Hachioka-dera Temple (Koryu-ji Temple). Koryu-ji Temple was once built on the site of Kitano Haiji in Kitano Kamihakumai-cho, Kita-ku, but it is said to have moved to its present location when the capital was moved to Heian-kyo in 794. It is said that the statue of Kuze Kannon was brought from Shiragi in 616. It is said that Koryu-ji Temple was founded in 622 as a memorial to Prince Shotoku-taishi after his death, and was called Kadono-no-Hatadera Temple. According to the “Koryuji Engi” and the “Koryuji Shizaikotai Jitsurokucho,” Koryu-ji Temple was founded in 622 as a memorial to the late Prince Shotoku-taishi. Koryu-ji Temple was formerly known as Hachiokadera Temple, Kadono-no-Hatadera Temple, Uzumasadera Temple, Hatadera Temple, Hata-no-kimidera Temple, and Kadono-no-dera Temple. Koryu-ji Temple was included in the “Shotoku-taishi Konryu-nanaji (Seven Temples of Shotoku Taishi)” along with Horyu-ji Temple, Shitenno-ji Temple, Chugu-ji Temple, Tachibanadera Temple, Katsuragi-ji Temple, and Hoki-ji Temple. It is said that in 623, an envoy from Shiragi and Mimana visited Koryu-ji Temple and brought a statue of Buddha to be housed in Koryu-ji Temple. It is said that in 724, at the request of the emperor, Denpo-e was held every year at Koryu-ji Temple. It is said that in 797, the main statue of Koryu-ji Temple was changed from Miroku Bosatsu to Yakushi Nyorai, which is derived from Muko Myojin. However, it is said that Yakushi Nyorai was destroyed by fire in 818 and rebuilt. In 818, Koryu-ji Temple was completely destroyed by fire, and the original building was lost. In 824, it is said that a Butsumyo-e was held in the palace at the request of the emperor. In 836, Dosho-sosu, a disciple of Kobo-daishi Kukai, the founder of the Shingon sect, became Betto and rebuilt the temple building and carved Buddhist statues. It is said that Ushi-matsuri (Cow Festival) began in 1012. In 1016, the 67th Emperor Sanjo visited Koryu-ji Temple, in 1104, the 72nd Emperor Shirakawa visited Koryu-ji Temple, and in 1127 and 1132, the 74th Emperor Toba visited Koryu-ji Temple. It is said that Koryu-ji Temple burned down in 1150. In 1165, Fujiwara no Nobuyori rebuilt Kodo (lecture hall) by imperial order. It is said that in 1248, at the request of the emperor, Hokke-e was held every year at Koryu-ji Temple. It is said that Chukan-shonin Chozen built Keikyuin Hondo in 1251. It is said that Keikyuin Hondo was built with the rise of the worship of Prince Shotoku-taishi. It is said that the 88th Emperor Go-Saga visited Koryu-ji in 1254, 1265, and 1266. It is said that in 1532, the 103rd Emperor Go-Tsuchimikado presented the statue of Prince Shotoku-taishi with a gyoi of imperial enthronement. In 1577, Oda Nobunaga is said to have granted a syuinjyo to Koryu-ji Temple. In 1585, Toyotomi Hideyoshi is said to have granted the temple 600 koku of land to the temple. In the Edo period (1603-1867), successive shoguns since Tokugawa Ieyasu, the 1st shogun of the Edo shogunate, were granted 600 koku of land to the temple. Joguoin Taishiden was built in 1730. After the Meiji Restoration, due to the separation of Shinto and Buddhism and the Haibutsukishaku, Osake Shrine, the guardian shrine of Koryu-ji Temple, was moved to its present location.
*reference・・・Koryu-ji Temple website
【Koryu-ji Temple Highlights (May be undisclosed)】
★Keikyuin Hondo (桂宮院本堂, National Treasure) is said to have been built by Chukan-shonin Chozen before 1251. Keikyuin Hondo is said to have housed the statue of Prince Shotoku-taishi, said to have been carved during the Kamakura period (1185-1333), but it has now been moved to Reihoden. It also housed the statue of Amida Nyorai and Nyoirin Kannon.
★Kodo (lecture hall, 講堂, Important Cultural Property) was rebuilt in 1165 and frequently repaired after 1565. Kodo is one of the oldest remaining examples of Heian architecture in Kyoto and is said to be the oldest building in Kyoto. Kodo houses the statues of Amida Nyorai, Jizo Bosatsu, KoKuzo Bosatsu, Senju Kannon and Fukukensaku Kannon.
★Kamiguoin Taishiden was built in 1730. Kamiguoin Taishiden houses the statue of Prince Shotoku-taishi. The statue of Prince Shotoku-taishi is a secret statue and is usually opened only on November 22nd every year. By the way, the statue of Prince Shotoku-taishi is said to have been built by the Buddhist sculptor Yorinori in 1120. The statue of Prince Shotoku-taishi is shown when he was 33 years old, wearing a real kimono over his underwear. At Koryu-ji Temple, the custom of wearing the hou given by the emperor on the statue of Prince Shotoku-taishi has continued since the Heian period (794-1185).
広隆寺見どころ (Koryu-ji Temple Highlights)
【Events (confirmation required)】
★Chona-hajime (釿始め) is held every year on January 2nd. Chona-hajime is a ceremony at the beginning of the year in which shrine carpenters pray to Prince Shotoku-taishi, also known as the God of Construction, for a safe start to the year. While Kyo-Kiyari is sung, the wood used for Chona-hajime is carried in front of Hondo.
★Shotoku-taishi Ohitaki-sai is held every year on November 22nd, the monthly death anniversary of Shotoku Taishi. At Shotoku-taishi Ohitaki-sai, gomagi (wooden sticks) with wishes from believers and others are burned on the gomadan to pray for the fulfillment of their wishes. The main statue of Prince Shotoku-taishi in Keikyuin Hondo and the statue of Yakushi Nyorai in the Reihouden are opened to the public.
【Telephone (Please refrain from making phone calls.)】
Tel: +81-75-861-1461
【Recommended Walking Route】
The recommended walking route from Koryu-ji Temple is along the Randen Arashiyama main line to Kurumazaki Shrine on the west side. However, it may be a good idea to take the Randen train as it is a bit far from Koryu-ji to Kurumazaki Shrine. Toei Uzumasa Eigamura is located on the north side of Koryu-ji Temple, and it is also recommended to enjoy the attractions and events at Toei Uzumasa Eigamura.
【Remarks(access, parking, disclaimer, etc)】
If you plan to visit Koryu-ji Temple, be sure to check the latest information.