- Home
- Shokoku-ji Temple (Naki-Ryu (banryu-zu),location,history)
Shokoku-ji Temple (Naki-Ryu (banryu-zu),location,history)
Shokoku-ji Temple, Naki-Ryu (banryu-zu)
The information about Shokoku-ji Temple is presented here. Shokoku-ji Temple is the head temple of the Shokoku-ji school of the Rinzai sect, and Kinkaku-ji Temple (Rokuon-ji Temple) and Ginkaku-ji Temple (Jisho-ji Temple), both World Heritage Sites, are the sub-temples of Shokoku-ji Temple. At Shokoku-ji Temple, Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, the third shogun of the Muromachi Shogunate, built Shichijyu-daito (seven-story pagoda) in 1399, but it was destroyed by lightning in 1403. Shichijyu-daito (seven-story pagoda) is about 109.1 meters high and is said to be the tallest Japanese-style pagoda in history.
【Shokoku-ji Temple Location Map & Directions】
Address: 701 Sokokuji-monzenmachi, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan
Access (How to get there): Doshisha-mae bus stop (about 3 minutes on foot), Subway Imadegawa Station (about 5 minutes on foot)
【Opening Hours & Closed (confirmation required)】
Opening Hours: 10:00-16:30
Closed: open year round
【Entrance Fees & Tickets (confirmation required)】
Individual: Adults 800 yen, High School and Junior High School Students 700 yen, Elementary School Students 400 yen
【Shokoku-ji Temple History】
The site where Shokoku-ji (相国寺) was built was once the site of Izumo-ji Temple (Bishamon-do Temple), Jingu-ji Temple (Hyakumanben Chion-ji Temple), and Ansho-ji Temple. In 1371, Muromachi-dai was completed at Muromachi-Kitakoji, and the Muromachi shogunate was subsequently moved there. In Muromachi, a large pond was dug and water was drawn from the Kamo-gawa River, and flowers of the four seasons were planted and bloomed, so it was also called the “Hana-no-Gosho (Flower Palace)”. Shokoku-ji Temple was founded in 1382 when Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, the third shogun of the Muromachi Shogunate, proposed to building a large Zen temple in the east of Muromachi-dai. During the memorial service for Muso-kokushi (Muso Soseki), Ashikaga Yoshimitsu consulted with Shunoku Myoha and Gido Shushin about the establishment of Shokoku-ji Temple. Ashikaga Yoshimitsu asked his Zen master, Shunoku Myoha, to become the founder of the temple, but Shunoku Myoha was adamant, so Shunoku Myoha’s master, Muso-kokushi (Muso Soseki), became the founder of the temple. The name “Shokoku-ji” comes from the fact that Ashikaga Yoshimitsu was the Sa-Daijin, and the rank of the Sa-Daijin was called “Shokoku. It is also named in honor of Dai-Shokoku-ji Temple which is said to be the origin of the Gozan (Five Sacred Temples) system in China. Shokoku-ji Temple is said to have had more than 50 sub-temples built on a magnificent site covering an area of about 1.44 million tsubo, with the forest of Kami-Goryo Shrine to the north, Teramachi-dori to the east, and Omiya-dori to the west. The construction of Hato and Butsuden began in October 1382, and the construction of Dai-Butsuden (Great Buddha Hall) began in 1384. In 1384, the name of the temple was changed to Mannenzan-Shokoku-Joten-Zenji. The construction of San-mon Gate began in 1386. In 1386, Ashikaga Yoshimitsu established the Kyoto Gozan (Five Sacred Temples), and Shokoku-ji Temple was ranked No.2. In 1388, Shunoku Myoha died. In 1392 , the temple complex of Shokoku-ji Temple was completed, and the Keisan-daihoyo (Great Memorial Service) was held by imperial decree. In 1394, a fire broke out in Ryosha (dormitory) and Shokoku-ji Temple was completely destroyed by fire. Reconstruction of the temple began in 1395, and Hato was rebuilt in 1396. In 1399, a 360 shaku (about 109.1 meters) high Shichijyu-daito (seven-story pagoda) was built, but it was destroyed by fire in 1403. In 1401, Ashikaga Yoshimitsu ranked Shokoku-ji Temple No.1 in the Kyoto Gozan. In 1407, Shokoku-ji Temple was rebuilt to its former appearance. In 1408, Ashikaga Yoshimitsu died, and in 1410, Shokoku-ji was restored to No.2 in the Kyoto Gozan. In 1425, Shokoku-ji was completely destroyed by fire. It is said that the Hokai-mon Gate was completed in 1463 and Shokoku-ji Temple was rebuilt. In the middle of the Muromachi period (1336-1573), the Onin War (1467-1477) occurred, and Hosokawa Katsumoto’s army of the Togun (Eastern Army) set up camp at Shokoku-ji Temple, causing it to be burned down in the Shokokuji-no-Tatakai (Battle of Sokokuji). It is said that Shichijyu-daito (seven-story pagoda), which was rebuilt at the behest of Ashikaga Yoshimochi, the 4th shogun of the Muromachi shogunate, was burned down by lightning in 1470. In 1549, Shokoku-ji Temple was destroyed by fire during the Tenmon-no-Ran. In 1584, Shokoku-ji Temple was rebuilt after Saisho Jotai, who is considered the founder of the temple’s revival, entered the temple. In 1599, Saisho Jotai built Hoko-ji Temple to commemorate the death of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who had died at Fushimi Castle on August 18th. In 1605, Hato was rebuilt with a donation from Toyotomi Hideyori, the son of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and the Keisan-daihoe (Great Memorial Service) was held. In 1609, San-mon Gate was rebuilt with a donation from Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first shogun of the Edo shogunate. In 1765, Ito Jakuchu donated the statue of Shaka Sanson and the Doshokusaie (illustrations of animals and plants). In 1788, the Tenmei-no-Taika (Great Fire of Tenmei) destroyed much of the temple complex, leaving Hato, which had been rebuilt in 1605, and Yokushitsu (bath). In 1807, Kaizando was rebuilt after being given the palace of Kyoreimonin, the empress of the 116th Emperor Momozono, and later, Hojo and Kori were also rebuilt. After the Meiji Restoration, due to the Haibutsukishaku and Agechirei (laws), the territory of Shokoku-ji Temple decreased significantly, and sub-temples were consolidated or abolished. It is said that the temple’s territory decreased from about 70,000 tsubo to about 25,000 tsubo. In 1876, Shokoku-ji Temple became independent and the head temple of the Shokokuji School.
*reference・・・Shokoku-ji Temple website
【Shokoku-ji Temple Highlights (May be undisclosed)】
★Hato (Hato Hall, 法堂, Important Cultural Property) was rebuilt in 1605 with a donation from Toyotomi Hideyori, son of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Hato has the Shumi-dan, Soshi-dodan, and Tochi-dodan, and houses the statues of Shaka Nyorai, Anan Sonja and Kasho Sonja on the Shumi-dan. On the kagami-tenjo (mirrored ceiling) is a 9-meter diameter “Naki-Ryu (banryu-zu) by the artist Kano Mitsunobu.
★Kaizando (Kaizando Hall, 開山堂) was destroyed by fire in 1788, and was rebuilt in 1807. Kaizando houses the statue of Muso-kokushi (Muso Soseki), Shunoku Myoha and Ashikaga Yoshimitsu.
★Hojo (Hojo Hall, 方丈) was destroyed by fire in 1788, and was rebuilt in 1807. In Hojo hangs a picture of Kannon Bosatsu by Enjinsai (Kato Nobukiyo).
相国寺見どころ(Shokoku-ji Temple Highlights)
【Flower Calendar (cherry blossoms, etc )】
★The best time to see lotus (蓮) is from late June to early August. Lotus is planted in Hojochi Pond in front of Chokushi-mon Gate, and lotus pots are placed around Hojochi Pond. Hojochi Pond is surrounded by a fence, and the Tenkai Bridge is built over it.
(The best time to see the plants depends on the climate of the year.)
【Telephone (Please refrain from making phone calls.)】
Tel: +81-75-231-0301
【Recommended Walking Route】
The recommended walking route from Shokoku-ji Temple is to Kyoto Gyoen and Kyoto Imperial Palace on the south side. Kyoto Gyoen has become a place of recreation and relaxation for the citizens of Kyoto, and cherry blossoms, maple trees, and other plants can be enjoyed in any season. If you have time,, we recommend that you walk to every corner of Kyoto Gyoen.
【Remarks(access, parking, disclaimer, etc)】
If you plan to visit Shokoku-ji Temple, be sure to check the latest information.