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Shogo-in Temple (Shugen sect,location,history)
Shogo-in Temple, Shugen sect
The information about Shogo-in Temple is presented here. Shogo-in Temple is the main temple of the Honzan Shugen sect. Shogo-in Temple was the main temple of the Honzan school, but due to the abolition of Shugendo in 1872, Shogo-in Temple temporarily belonged to the Tendai Jimon sect, but became independent again in 1946 as the Honzan Shugen sect. At its peak, Shogo-in Temple was a major Shugendo group with more than 20,000 branch temples throughout Japan.
【Shogo-in Temple Location Map & Directions】
Address: 15 Shogoin Naka-machi, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan
Access (How to get there): Kumano Jinja-mae bus stop (about 3 minutes on foot), Keihan Jingu Marutamachi Station (about 7 minutes on foot)
【Opening Hours & Closed (confirmation required)】
Opening Hours: 9:30-17:00 (April-August), 9:30-16:30 (September-March)
Closed: open year round
【Entrance Fees & Tickets (confirmation required)】
Individual: Adults 600 yen, High and Junior High School Students 500 yen
【Shogo-in Temple History】
The area where Shogo-in Temple (聖護院) is located is said to have once been a dense Shogoin-no-mori (forest). Shogoin-no-mori (forest) was also called “Kinin (錦林)” because its autumn leaves were as beautiful as brocade fabrics, and the place name “Kinin” still exists today, along with “Shogoin. In 811, the monk Nichien-shonin invoked Kumano Gongen of Kishu (Wakayama) and founded Kumano Shrine as the guardian shrine of Shogoin-no-mori (forest). When the 72nd Emperor Shirakawa made a pilgrimage to Kumano Sanzan in 1090, Zoyo-daisojo served as his sendatsu (leader). Zoyo-daisojo was given Joko-ji Temple, which was said to have been founded by En-no-Gyoja (En-no-Oduno), and changed the name of the temple to Shogo-in Temple, from the two characters for “Seitai Goji (聖体護持)”. Kumano Shrine was made the guardian shrine of Shogo-in Temple. Zoyo-daisojo succeeded Chisho-daishi Enchin and made a name for himself as a monk by practicing Omine. Incidentally, Chisho-daishi Enchin was the founder of the Tendaiji Jimon sect, spent 1,000 days basking in Kumano Nachi-no-taki and then practiced ascetic practices at Omine in Nara. Zoyo-daisojo was appointed as the 1st Kumano Sanzan Kengyo post and presided over Kumano Hongu Taisha, Kumano Hayatama Taisha, and Kumano Nachi Taisha. Zoyo-daisojo was also appointed as the head of the Honzan Shugendo sect, and supervised ascetics throughout Japan. At its peak, Shogo-in Temple was a major Shugendo group with more than 20,000 branch temples throughout Japan. During the retired Emperor’s visit to Kumano, Shogo-in Temple served as their sentatsu (leader) for generations. In 1202, Joe Hoshinno, a prince of the 77th Emperor Go-Shirakawa, entered Shogo-in Temple as a miya-monzeki, and Shogo-in Temple became a monzeki temple. In 1390, Kakuzo Hoshinno, who had been appointed to succeed Kakuyo Hoshinno, died suddenly, and Shogo-in Temple was temporarily closed. faced a crisis. It is said that the background was the conflict between the northern and southern courts. In the middle of the Muromachi period (1336-1573), the Onin War (1467-1477) occurred, and Shogo-in Temple was destroyed by military fire. During the Onin War, the monzeki monk Doko was exiled to Mino (Gifu) because of his friendship with Ashikaga Yoshimi, the younger brother of Ashikaga Yoshinori, the 6th shogun of the Muromachi Shogunate, and was suspected of informing on the Sei-gun (Western Force) led by Yamana Sozen, Doko was pardoned after the Onin War and moved to Hase (Iwakura, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto City) and revived Shogo-in Temple. In 1487, Butsudo in Hase was destroyed by fire set by bandits. In the Aduchi Momoyama period (1573-1603), Shogo-in Temple was moved to Karasuma Imadegawa by order of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. In 1675, Shogo-in Temple was destroyed by the Enpo-no-taika (Great Enpo Fire), and the following year, 1676, Shogo-in Temple was rebuilt at its present location. During the Tenmei-no-taika (Great Tenmei Fire) in 1788, the 119th Emperor Kokaku entered into Shinden of Shogo-in Temple and made it his temporary residence (gosho). The monzeki monk Einin is Emperor Kokaku’s younger brother from the same mother. In 1854, when the Imperial Palace burned down, Shogo-in Temple became the temporary palace of the 121st Emperor Komei. On January 8th, 1868, the monzeki monk Yunin Hoshinno returned to secular life and became Shogoin-no-miya Yoshikoto Shinnoo. In 1868, the Order for the Separation of Shinto and Buddhism was issued, and in 1872, the Order for the Abolition of Shugendo was issued, and Shogo-in Temple belonged to the Tendai Jimon sect. In 1946, Shogo-in Temple became independent from the Tendai Jimon sect and founded the Shugen sect.
*reference・・・Shogo-in Temple website
【Shogo-in Temple Highlights (May be undisclosed)】
★Shoin (書院, Important Cultural Property) is said to have been built in the early Edo period (1661-1750) as the Shoin of the Imperial Palace and moved to Shogoin in 1676. It is said to have been a shoin for the concubine of the 108th Emperor Gomizunoo. The shoin includes shushitsu (main room), tsugi-no-ma (second room), haimen-shitsu (back room), genkan (entrance), etc. Shoin is decorated with fusuma paintings by Kano Shoei.
★Shinden (宸殿) was built in the middle of the Edo period (1603-1868). Shinden houses the statues of En-no-Gyoja (En-no-Oduno), Zaou Gongen, Sanbo Kojin, Kujaku Myoo, and Sakate Amida Nyorai. Shinden also houses the statues of Fudo Myoo, from the Kamakura period (1185-1333), Fudo Myo from the Muromachi period (1336-1573), and Fudo Myo from the Edo period (1603-1868). Shinden includes Dai-Genkan (Grand Entrance), Butsu-ma, Gyokuza-no-ma, Kacho-no-ma, Kujyaku-no-ma, Taikobo-no-ma, and Nami-no-ma, etc.
★Honden (main hall, 本堂) was rebuilt in 1968. Honden houses the statues of Fudo Myoo, which is said to have been created by Chisho-daishi Enchin. Honden also houses the statues of Kangara-doji, Seitaka-doji, and Chisho-daishi Enchin.
聖護院見どころ (Shogo-in Temple Highlights)
【Events (confirmation required)】
★Kanchu Takuhatsu-shugyo (寒中托鉢修行) is held every year from January 8th to 14th. Kanchu Takuhatsu-shugyo is performed by yamabushi (mountain monks) during the winter season when mountain asceticism is not practiced, in order to train the body and mind. Yamabushi (mountain monks) visit about 5,000 homes of believers in Kyoto City, chanting the “Hannyashingyo (sutra)” and praying for good health and safety throughout the year.
★Setsubun-e (節分会) is held every year on Setsubun and the day before. On Setsubun-e, tsuina-shiki, Yamabushi fukumame-maki, and Yakuyoke Kaiun Saito Ogomaku are held. The main statue of Fudo Myoo is open to the public and visitors are allowed to approach Fudo Myoo.
【Flower Calendar (cherry blossoms, etc )】
★The best time to see cherry blossoms (桜) is from late March to early April. The Weeping Cherry Tree is planted near San-mon Gate, and it is said that the scenery of the Weeping Cherry Tree and San-mon Gate is beautiful. The drooping cherry blossoms have spectacular branches that reach down to the ground.
(The best time to see the plants depends on the climate of the year.)
【Telephone (Please refrain from making phone calls.)】
Tel: +81-75-771-1880
【Recommended Walking Route】
The recommended walking route from Shogo-in Temple is across the Kamo-gawa River to the Kyoto Imperial Palace, Sento Gosho, and Kyoto Gyoen. Since Shogo-in Temple had a close relationship with the imperial family, visitors can enjoy a walk while contemplating the history of the area. To the south of Shogo-in Temple are the Heian Shrine, the National Museum of Modern Art, the Municipal Museum of Art, and the Municipal Zoo, so you may want to take a walk there as well.
【Remarks(access, parking, disclaimer, etc)】
If you plan to visit Shogo-in Temple, be sure to check the latest information.