Seiryo-ji Temple (Saga Shakado,location,history)

Seiryo-ji Temple, Saga Shakado

The information about Seiryo-ji Temple is presented here. At Seiryo-ji Temple, Saga Dai-Nenbutsu Kyogen is performed in spring, fall, and other seasons, and Saga Dai-Nenbutsu Kyogen has been designated as a national treasure of intangible folk culture. Saga Dai-Nenbutsu Kyogen is said to have been founded by Engaku-shonin in 1279 in order to spread Yugi Soku-Nenbutsu. Saga Dai-Nenbutsu Kyogen is considered one of the three major Nenbutsu Kyogen in Kyoto, along with Enmado Dai-Nenbutsu Kyogen (Senbon Enmado (Injo-ji Temple)) and Mibu Dai-Nenbutsu Kyogen (Mibu-dera Temple).

【Seiryo-ji Temple Location Map & Directions】

Address: 46 Saga Shakado Fujinoki-cho, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan
Access (How to get there): Saga Shakado-mae bus stop (about 3 minutes on foot), JR Saga-Arashiyama Station (about 10 minutes on foot), Randen Arashiyama Station (about 12 minutes on foot)

【Opening Hours & Closed (confirmation required)】

Opening Hours: 9:00-16:00
Closed: open year round

【Entrance Fees & Tickets (confirmation required)】

Individual: Adults 400 yen, High and Junior High School Students 300 yen, children 200 yen

【Seiryo-ji Temple History】

The site of Seiryo-ji Temple (清凉寺, Saga Shakado, 嵯峨釈迦堂) was built was the site of the mountain villa Seikagan of Minamoto no Toru, a prince of the 52nd Emperor Saga and the main character of “Genji Monogatari (The Tale of Genji)” written by Murashiki Shikibu. In 895, Minamoto no Toru died, and in 896, the first anniversary of his death, his son created a statue of Amida Sanson and housed it in Amidado, and the temple was renamed “Seika-ji Temple”. In 945, Shigeakira shinnohi built a new do (hall) and housed a statue of Shaka (Buddha) there. It is also said that the reason why Seiryo-ji Temple is called Saga Shakado is because the statue of Shaka (Buddha) was housed there. In 987, Chonen-shonin, a native of Todai-ji Temple in Nara, planned to build Dai-Seiryo-ji Temple to house the statue of Shaka (Buddha), which is called “Sangoku denrai-no-Shaka-zo”, but he died in 1016. So, Josan, a disciple of Chonen-shonin, inherited his will and housed it in the Shakado at Seika-ji Temple, which is said to be the origin of Seiryo-ji Temple. “Sangoku denrai-no-Shaka-zo (the statue of Shaka (Buddha))” was created by Chonen-shonin, who traveled to So (China) and in 985, ordered a Buddhist sculptor to carve a statue of Shaka Nyorai at Kaigen-ji Temple of Taishu. The statue of Shaka Nyorai is a statue of the 37-year-old Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, whichi is carved by the ancient Indian king Uden-o, and because it was brought to Japan from India via China, it is called “Sangoku denrai-no-Shaka-zo (the statue of Shaka (Buddha))”. “Sangoku denrai-no-Shaka-zo (the statue of Shaka (Buddha))” is also called “Namami-no Saka” because it is a living replica of the 37-year-old living Buddha. It is said that Shakado was transformed into Goudaisan Seiryo-ji Temple of the Kegon sect, and became a branch of the Tendai and Shingon sects and later became a separate temple under Atagosan Hakuun-ji Temple (Atago Shrine). It is also said that Dai Nembutsu (Yuzu Nembutsu) of Engaku-shonin was transmitted to Seiryo-ji Temple in 1279. In 1443, Saga Nembutsu was held for the first time at Seiryo-ji Temple, and after that, Saga Nembutsu flourished, and Shakado became the dojo for the Yuzu Nembutsu sect. In the middle of the Muromachi period (1336-1573), Seiryo-ji Temple was destroyed by fire during the Onin War (1467-1477), but was rebuilt in 1481. In 1530, Enyo entered Seiryo-ji Temple and Juniji-no-Nembutsu service was held for the first time, and Seiryo-ji Temple was converted to the Jodo sect. Hondo (Shakado) was rebuilt by a donation with a donation from Toyotomi Hideyori, the son of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. In 1637, Seiryo-ji Temple was destroyed by the Saga-no-taika (Great Saga Fire), and Hondo and other buildings were burned down. From 1700, the dekaicho (public opening) of the main statue of Seiryo-ji Temple began in Edo (Tokyo). Hondo was rebuilt in 1701 at the request of Tokugawa Tsunayoshi, the 5th shogun of the Edo shogunate, his mother Keishoin, and others. In 1986, Saga Dai-Nenbutsu Kyogen was designated as a national treasure of intangible folk culture.
*reference・・・Seiryo-ji Temple website

【Seiryo-ji Temple Highlights (May be undisclosed)】

★Hondo (Main Hall, 本堂) was rebuilt in 1701 at the request of Tokugawa Tsunayoshi, the 5th shogun of the Edo shogunate, and his mother Keishoin, and with the help of Sumitomo Kichizaemon, a wealthy merchant from Osaka. Hondo houses the statue of Shaka Nyorai, known as “Sangoku denrai-no-Shaka-zo”. Hondo also houses the statue of Jizo Bosatsu, carved in the Kamakura period (1185-1333).
★Taho-to (Taho pagoda, 多宝塔) was built in Edo (Tokyo) in 1700 with donations when the statue of Shaka Nyorai was opened to the public at Gokoku-ji Temple, and later in 1703, parts of Taho-to (pagoda) were transported by ship for construction. Taho-to (pagoda) houses the statue of Taho Nyorai.
★Nio-mon (Nio-mon Gate, 仁王門) was rebuilt in 1784. Nio-mon houses the statues of A-Un Nioh, carved in the Muromachi period (1336-1573) on the 1st floor and houses the statues of Juroku Rakan on the 2nd floor.
★Amidado (阿弥陀堂) is said to have been rebuilt in 1863. Amidado once housed the statue of Amida Sanson, Tobatsu Bishamonten, and others.
清凉寺・嵯峨釈迦堂見どころ (Seiryo-ji Temple Highlights)

【Events (confirmation required)】

★Nehan-e (涅槃会) and Otaimatsu-shiki (お松明式) are held every year on March 15th. Nehan-e is a memorial service held to commemorate the Buddha’s legacy and to express gratitude for his kindness. Nehan-zu, about 6 meters long and 4 meters wide, is hung in Hondo. Otaimatsu-shiki is an event that reenacts the enthronement of Buddha. In Otaimatsu-shiki, three 7-meter high taimatsu (torches) are used to represent wase (early rice), nakade (middle rice), and okude (late rice), and the strength of the fire is used to predict the year’s harvest.
★Saga Dai-Nenbutsu Kyogen (嵯峨大念仏狂言) is held every year in spring, fall and other seasons. In the spring season, the first match on the first day is Hana-Nusuto, and the last match on the third day is Gakki Sumo.
★Yugiri-sai (夕霧祭) is held every year on the second Sunday of November. Yugiri-sai is a memorial service for Yugiri-tayu, a famous geisha from Osaka. At Yugiri-sai, mai (dance) is performed by Tayu from Shimabara, Kyoto. Tayu- dochu is also held.

【Flower Calendar (cherry blossoms, etc )】

★The best time to see plum blossoms (梅) is from late February to late March. White and red plum trees are planted in the precincts, and it is said that the scenery of plum trees, Hondo, Amidado, Taho-to (pagoda) and Nio-mon Gate is beautiful. Nokiha-no-ume associated with Izumi-shikibu is also planted.
(The best time to see the plants depends on the climate of the year.)

【Telephone (Please refrain from making phone calls.)】

Tel: +81-75-861-0343

【Recommended Walking Route】

The recommended walking route from Seiryo-ji Temple is to Arashiyama Bamboo Forest Path on the south side of the temple. Arashiyama Bamboo Forest Path is popular with both domestic and foreign tourists because of the large distribution of bamboo and the Japanese atmosphere. Depending on the time of day, the path may be crowded with tourists, making it difficult to experience the atmosphere. To the south of Arashiyama Bamboo Forest Path are the Togetsu-kyo Bridge and Mt. Arashiyama, which are also popular with tourists.

【Remarks(access, parking, disclaimer, etc)】
If you plan to visit Seiryo-ji Temple, be sure to check the latest information.

京都観光おすすめ

  1. 錦市場(Nishiki Market)
  2. 竹林の道(Bamboo Forest Path)
  3. 嵐山
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