Zuishin-in Temple, Ono no Komachi

The information about Zuishin-in Temple is presented here. At Zuishin-in Temple, there is a kesho-ido (make-up water well) that is said to be associated with Ono no Komachi. Ono, where Zuishin-in Temple is located, is where the Ono clan flourished, and Ono no Komachi, who served the 54th Emperor Nimei and was a famous poet, was also from Ono and is said to have spent her life in Ono after retiring from the court. The statue of Sotoba Komachi, which is said to represent Ono no Komachi in her later years, still remains in Zuishin-in Temple.

• Temple Location Map ＆ Directions
• Temple History
• Temple Highlights

【Zuishin-in Temple Location Map ＆ Directions】

Address: 35 Ono Goryo-cho, Yamashina-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan
Access (How to get there): Ono Eki bus stop (about 5 minutes on foot), Ono station (about 5 minutes on foot)

【Opening Hours ＆ Closed (confirmation required)】

Opening Hours: 9:00-16:30
Closed: open year round

【Entrance Fees ＆ Tickets (confirmation required)】

Individual: Adults, College and High School Students: 400 yen, Junior High School Students: 300 yen, Children free

【Zuishin-in Temple History】

The site of Zuishin-in Temple (隨心院) was built is said to be the place where the residence of Ono no Komachi, a female poet who was considered one of the three most beautiful women in the world, along with Princess Yang (Yo Kihi) and Cleopatra VII. It is also said that Zuishin-in Temple is the place where Gyuhisan Mandara-ji Temple was founded in 991 by Ninkai-sojo, the 8th generation disciple of Kobo-daishi Kukai and the founder of the Ono School of the Shingon sect, on land granted by the 66th Emperor Ichijo next to the residence of the Ono clan. Ninkai-sojo had a dream that his deceased mother was reborn as a cow, so he asked for the cow in the Toba area (Kyoto) and kept it, but it later died, and in his grief, he painted a statue of the Ryokai Mandala on its skin and enshrined it as the main statue. It is said that Ninkai-sojo buried the tail of the cow on Mt. Ushio-yama. In addition, Ninkai-sojo was deeply devoted to the imperial court, and by imperial decree, he performed the amagoi (praying for rain) of rain nine times in Shinsen-en, and each time he received a spiritual benefit, so he was also called “Ama-sojo”. Zuishin-in Temple was founded in the Kamakura period (1185-1333) by Zoshun, the 5th head monk of Mandara-ji Temple, as a subtemple of Mandara-ji Temple. Later, it is said to have become a kigansho (prayer temple) for the 84th Emperor Juntoku, the 86th Emperor Go-Horikawa, and the 87th Emperor Shijo. It is said that the Jokyu-no-ran (war) occurred in 1221, and Zuishin-in Temple was destroyed by military fire. In 1229, Zuishin-in Temple became a monzeki temple by Go-Horikawa’s decree, and it is said that monzeki monks from the Ichijo, Nijo, and Kujo families entered Zuishin-in Temple. It is said that the do (halls) and to (pagodas) were well maintained, and the seven do and to of Zuishin-in Temple boasted magnificent beauty. In the middle of the Muromachi period (1336-1573), the Onin War (1467-1477) occurred, and much of the temple complex was destroyed by military fire. After that, according to the “Zuishin-in Shiryaku”, Zuishin-in Temple often moved to Kujo Karahashi, near Shokoku-ji Temple, etc. In 1599, Hondo of Zuishin-in Temple was rebuilt on the site of Mandara-ji Temple. After that, monzeki monks entered Zuishin-in Temple from the Kujo and Nijo families, and the temple complex was rebuilt with donations from both families. It is said that Zuishin-in Temple received a donation from Toyotomi Hideyori, son of Toyotomi Hideyoshi around the early Edo period (1603-1868). It is said that the Tokugawa family donated 312 koku in 1609, and 300 koku were added later. During the Kanei period (1624-1631), Omote-Shoin and Dai-Genkan were built and rebuilt. In 1743, Gyogen, the monzeki monk, returned to secular life and became Kujo Naozane, and later became the Kanpaku and Dajodaijin. Gyogen was born as the son of Kujo Sukezane, and later became Daisojo, but returned to secular life after the death of Kujo Tanemoto. During the Horeki period (1751-1764), Noh-nma was built, and in 1753, Kuri and So-mon Gate were built. In 1907, the Shingon sect split into the Yamashina, Ono, Toji, and Sennyuji Schools, and Zuishin-in Temple became the mai temple of the Ono School. In 1931, the Ono School changed its name to the Zentsuji School, and in 1941, Zentsu-ji Temple was promoted to the head temple. Zentsu-ji Temple, which is built at the birthplace of Kobo-daishi Kukai, the founder of the Shingon sect, is the head temple of the the Zentsuji School, and Zuishin-in Temple is the main temple of the School. In 1966, the temple grounds were declared a historical site, and in 1973, the Nezu Dance was restored.
*reference・・・Zuishin-in Temple website

【Zuishin-in Temple Highlights (May be undisclosed)】

★Hondo (Main Hall, 本堂) was rebuilt in 1599. Hondo houses the main statue of Nyoirin Kanzeon Bosatsu, carved in the Kamakura period (1185-1333). Hondo also houses the statue of Kongosata carved by Kaikei, Amida Nyorai said to have been carved by Jyocho, Yakushi Nyorai, Fudo Myoo, Kobo-daishi Kukai, Ninkai-sojo, and others.
★Omote-Shoin (表書院) was rebuilt during the Kanei period (1624-1631) with a donation from Tenshinin, a nun associated with the Kujo family. Omote-Shoin is decorated with fusuma paintings painted by Kano school painters.
★Oku-Shoin (奥書院) was built in the early Edo period (1603-1868). Oku-Shoin is decorated with fusuma paintings painted by Kano school painters.
★Ono Baien (Ono Plum Garden, 小野梅園) is planted with plums such as the late-blooming pale pink Hanezu-no-ume (Yae-kobai), red plum, and white plum. The best time to see Hanezu-no-ume (Yae-kobai) is from mid-March to late March. Hanezu Odori is held on the best time to see Hanezu-no-ume (usually on the last Sunday in March).
隨心院見どころ (Zuishin-in Temple Highlights)

【Events (confirmation required)】

★Hanezu Odori (はねず踊り) is held every year on the last Sunday in March. In Hanezu Odori, a stage is set up, and girls dressed as Ono no Komachi and Fukakusa Shosho (Major General) perform. Girls dressed in hanagasa hats and kosodes with stepped shibori sleeves in the color of Hanezu, and holding plum branches in their hands dance to the tune of a children’s song, “Momoyo Gayoi”.

【Flower Calendar (cherry blossoms, etc )】

★The best time to see plum blossoms (梅) is from mid-March to late March. About 200 Hanezu-no-ume (Yae-kobai), and red and white plum trees are planted in Ono Baien (Ono Plum Garden) and other areas, and the scenery of the plum blossoms and Ono Baien is said to be beautiful.
★The best time to see autumn leaves (紅葉) is from mid-November to late November. Maple trees, ginkgo, and other trees are distributed, and the contrast of the autumn leaves seen from Noh-no-ma through the large cedar moss in the garden in front of Hondo is said to be beautiful. Zuishin-in Temple is illuminated every year around the time of autumn leaves, and a special night viewing is held. (night illumination, 紅葉ライトアップ)
隨心院紅葉ライトアップ (Zuishin-in Temple night illumination)
(The best time to see the plants depends on the climate of the year.)

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

Tel: +81-75-571-0025

【Recommended Walking Route】

The recommended walking route from Zuishin-in Temple is toward Daigo-ji Temple on the south side. Daigo-ji is a World Heritage Site and is famous for its Gojyu-no-to (five-story pagoda). Daigo-ji is also one of the most famous cherry blossom viewing spots in Kyoto, and beautiful cherry blossoms can be enjoyed during the cherry blossom season.

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