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Manshu-in Temple (Hassoken,location,history)
Manshu-in Temple, Hassoken
The information about Manshu-in Temple is presented here. Manshu-in Temple is famous for its cha-shitsu (tea ceremony room), Hassoken, called “Niji-no-mado (Rainbow Window)” because of the rainbow-like shadows cast by renjimado (window) above nijiriguchi (door). Hassoken was named after the eight windows associated with the Buddhist practice of eight layers of enlightenment. Hassoken is said to be one of Kyoto’s San Meiseki (three best tea rooms), along with Hassonoseki at Konch-in Temple and Bosenseki at Koho-an Temple, a subtemple of Daitoku-ji Temple.
【Manshu-in Temple Location Map & Directions】
Address: 42 Ichijoji Takenouchi-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan
Access (How to get there): Ichijoji Sagarimatsucho bus stop (about 20 minutes on foot), Shugakuin Station (about 20 minutes on foot)
【Opening Hours & Closed (confirmation required)】
Opening Hours: 9:00-17:00
Closed: open year round
【Entrance Fees & Tickets (confirmation required)】
Individual: Adults 600 yen, High School Students 500 yen, Junior High and Elementary School Students 400 yen
【Manshu-in Temple History】
In 788, Dengyo-daishi Saicho, the founder of the Tendai sect, built a hermitage called Ichijo Shikan-in Temple, which houses the main statue of Yakushi Nyorai, on Mt. Hiei-zan. Ichijo Shikan-in Temple is the predecessor of Enryaku-ji Temple (延暦寺). Manshu-in Temple (曼殊院) is said to have originated as a bo (small temple) founded in the Enryaku period (782-806) by Dengyo-daishi Saicho as a dojo for the protectorate nation. Since the founding of Enryaku-ji Temple by Dengyo-daishi Saicho, 3,000 bo (monk’s residences) have been built on Mt. Hiei-zan, which was also known as “Hiei-zan Sanzen Bo”. It is said that Manshu-in Temple was succeeded by the 3rd Tendai Zasu, Jikaku-daishi Ennin, and the 4th Tendai Zasu, Ane, in the early Heian period. It is said that during the Tenryaku period (947-957), the 1st head monk of Manshu-in Temple, Zezan-kokushi, moved Manshu-in Temple to the north valley of Saito on Mt. Hiei and named it Tobi-bo. When Kitano Tenmangu Shrine was founded in the Tenryaku period (947-957) and Sugawara no Michizane was enshrined as its deity, Zezan-kokushi was appointed as the 1st betto because Zezan-kokushi was from the Sugawara family. For 900 years, until the Meiji Restoration, Manshu-in Temple held the position of the Kitano betto post. During the Tennin period (1108-1110), the 8th head monk of Manshu-in Temple, Chujin-daisojo, changed the name of the temple to Manshu-in Temple. During the Tennin period (1108-1110), Kitayama branch temple was built near Kinkaku-ji Temple for the administration of Kitano Tenmangu Shrine. It is said that at Manshu-in Temple, Honbo (main temple) on Mt. Hiei-zan and Kitayama branch temple existed side by side for a while, but gradually Kitayama branch temple became the main temple of Manshu-in Temple. During the Nanbokucho period (1337-1392), when Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, the 3rd shogun of the Muromachi shogunate, built Kitayama-dono, the predecessor of Kinkaku-ji Temple, Kitayama branch temple was moved to the kugemachi of the Imperial Palace (near Sokoku-ji temple) during the Koreki period (1379-1381). In 1495, Jiun Hoshinno, the son of Fushiminomiya Sadatsune Shinno and the adopted son of the 103rd Emperor Go-Tsuchimikado, entered Manshu-in Temple and Manshu-in Temple became the monzeki temple. Manju-in Temple was one of the Gokashitu monzeki temples of the Tendai sect in Kyoto, along with Sanzen-in Temple, Myoho-in Temple, Shoren-in Temple and Bishamon-do Temple. In 1656, the 29th head monk of Manshu-in Temple, Ryosho Shinno entered Manshu-in Temple and moved Manshu-in Temple to its present location, where a temple complex was built. Ryosho Shinno was the second son of Hachijonomiya Toshihito Shinno, and it is said that Ryosho Shinno built the temple complex on the advice of his elder brother Hachijonomiya Toshitada, who completed Katsura-rikyu. In 1868, the Kitano betto post was abolished.
*reference・・・Manshu-in Temple website
【Manshu-in Temple Highlights (May be undisclosed)】
★Dai-Shoin (大書院, Important Cultural Property) was built in 1656. Dai-Shoin is the main hall of Manshu-in Temple and includes Jusetsu-no-ma, Taki-no-ma, Butsuma-ma, and Hikae-no-ma. Dai-Shoin houses the statue of Amida Nyorai in Butsuma-ma, and the statue of Jie-daishi in Jusetsu-no-ma.
★Sho-Shoin (小書院, Important Cultural Property) was built in 1656. Sho-Shoin has Tasogare-no-ma and Fuji-no-ma. Tasogare-no-ma has toko, tana, and tsuke-shoin and the tana (shelf) on the side of the toko are made of different kinds of wood and are called “Manshu-in-dana”.
★Kuri (庫裏, Important Cultural Property) was built in 1656. Kuri is about 15.9 meters wide and 12.3 meters deep. Kuri is attached to Genkan (entrance), and Genkan has Tora-no-ma, Kujaku-no-ma, and Bamboo-no-ma.
★Hassoken (八窓軒, Important Cultural Property) was built in 1656.
曼殊院見どころ (Manshu-in Temple Highlights)
【Events (confirmation required)】
★Autumn Leaf Illumination is held when the autumn leaves are at their peak. Karesansui garden (dry landscape garden) in front of Dai-Shoin and the stone-paved driveway to the temple are illuminated. The moonlight and spiritual energy from Mt. Hiei-zan create an ethereal atmosphere.
【Flower Calendar (cherry blossoms, etc )】
★The best time to see azaleas (ツツジ) and satsuki azaleas (サツキ) is around late April for Kirishima azaleas, and early May for Hirado azaleas and satsuki azaleas. Kirishima azaleas are planted around Dai-Shoin, and they bloom with rather small deep red flowers. Kirishima azaleas, whose flowers resemble a red carpet, are said to be beautiful in harmony with the karesansui garden (dry landscape garden).
★The best time to see autumn leaves (紅葉) is from mid-November to late November. Maple trees and other trees are planted in the karesansui garden (dry landscape garden) in front of Dai-Shoin and around the Chokushi-mon gate, and the scenery of the autumn leaves, Chokushi-mon gate, the five-lined tsukijibei (wall), and the stone wall is said to be beautiful.
(The best time to see the plants depends on the climate of the year.)
【Telephone (Please refrain from making phone calls.)】
Tel: +81-75-781-5010
【Recommended Walking Route】
The recommended walking route from Manshu-in Temple is to walk to Shisen-do Temple on the south side, although it is a little farther. Shisen-do Temple has a beautiful garden and will soothe your soul. It is also recommended to head north to Shugakuin Rikyu. However, to visit Shugakuin Rikyu, you may need to apply in advance. (confirmation required)
【Remarks(access, parking, disclaimer, etc)】
If you plan to visit Manshu-in Temple, be sure to check the latest information.