Kyoto is an international tourist destination that is bustling throughout the seasons. In particular, there is a large and historic temple and shrine in the center.
If you have enough time and physical fitness, you can enjoy sightseeing in Kyoto at an affordable time, distance, and cost by visiting these historic sites on the Kyoto city bus or on foot. At the same time, you can touch aspects of famous people who have shaped Japanese history, so it will be an unforgettable Kyoto time for those who like history.
Kyoto where there are about 2500 temples and shrines from the city center to the suburbs. There are many places that you want to see and want to go, but you will never be impatient and greedy. First, let’s go to Kyoto Station.
“Sangjusangen-do Temple” is a representative place that can be accessed in a short time from Kyoto Station.
Sanjusangendo, located in Higashiyama Ward, where historical temples and shrines are located in the center of Kyoto, is close to Kiyomizu-dera, a famous landmark of Kyoto, so there are many tourists worshiping before and after Kiyomizu-dera.
Sanjusangendo at the time of its founding has a five-storied pagoda, which is reportedly more luxurious and large. However, in 1249, it was destroyed by the “Kencho Great Fire” that struck Kyoto, and was rebuilt by Emperor Gosaga in 1266 during the Kamakura period. Since then, the restoration work has been carried out several times, and it has been protected extensively, and it has reached the present.
It is over 750 years old. The main hall is about 120 meters long and is considered the longest wooden structure in the world. It is also excellent in earthquake resistance, and on the premise that “the building will shake if an earthquake comes”, it has a structure that piles up a large amount of sand and clay on its base like a layer to absorb the impact of the earthquake. In addition, a method of connecting the pillars with two beams is used, so that they will not collapse even if a strong earthquake hits Kyoto.
The Taira clan and the Minamoto clan later fought over the hegemony of the world, the Battle of the Genpei War, and the battle of the Onin Ran where almost all of Kyoto became a burning field, Sangjusangen -do Temple remained undestructed. In addition, it is one of the few temples that have reached the present without being lost in the Sengoku period, when the wars were constant in various places, and in the “Haibutsu-kishaku” (a movement to abolish Buddhism) of the Meiji period.
Built in Heian era
“Sanjusangen-do Temple” in Higashiyama Kyoto is one of the tourist attractions that you should visit whenever you come to Kyoto. The main hall of 1001 Senju Kannon Bosatsu (Thousand-Armed Kannon Bodhisattva, a Buddhist Goddess of Mercy) are masterpieces. Its power is perhaps the only thing you can taste here in Japan. The official name of “Sanjusangen-do Temple” is “Renge Oin”. It was built in 1164. It is the beginning of Sanjusangen-do Temple to have been built in the Imperial Palace by Shirakawa ex-emperor after being known as the person who performed Insei (rule by a retired Emperor) in the Heian era. (approximately 1,200 years ago.) “Sanjusangen-do Temple” came to be called because it has a unique architectural style with 33 pillars in the Naijin (the inner temple) of Hondo Hall.
The denomination belongs to Tendai sect and the principal image is Senju Kannon Bosatsu. The main hall and the huge Senju Kannon statue exceeding 7 meters have been designated as national treasures and 1001 other Senju Kannon statues are designated as important cultural assets.
Statue of the thousand-armed Kannon
The name Sanjusangen-do Temple comes from the number between the pillar of main halls of a Buddhist temple is 33 of them.
“Statue of the thousand-armed Kannon” which built behind a standing statues of the 28 Attendants of Senju Kannon is to fascinate many people here. “Statue of the thousand-armed Kannon” has 11 faces overhead and 40 hands on both sides.
For Senju Kannon the number 33 is special. It is said that Senju Kannon has 33 temporary figures, and it saves people while changing its figure. In other words, for people who believe in Senju Kannon, “33” is a keyword of salvation. So, as following to it, a long slender building with 33 pillars was made.
There is not one thing of the same face
The scenery of 1,000 Kannon statues along with the orderliness on the dais are beyond a doubt the best part. Though in such a lot of Kannon statues, there is not one thing of the same face.
Early spring tradition of Kyoto
“Toshiya” (an event as part of of Kyujutsu : the Japanese classical martial art of shooting an arrow from a bow at a target) is held every year here, toward the Seijin no Hi (Coming of Age Day), and it becomes a early spring tradition of Kyoto. Performed Toshiya is the tournament called “Ohmato Taikai” now, and a game player shoots a bow towards the target that approximately 60m away in the precincts from the west side of main hall of a Buddhist temple.
Enlivens news every year
It is the part of the adult female to become the flower of the tournament in particular. The woman challenges a competition in an appearance of wearing a kimono and the figure is dignified and splendid. The activeness unique to New Year holidays enlivens news every year.
Information(Access, Price/Charge, Tel, Address, Official site, etc.)
Name: | Sanjusangen-do Temple |
Adresse: | Sanjusangendomawaricho 657 Kyoto Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto 605-0941 Japan |
Access: | Keihan Railwai Keihanhonsen Line “Shichijo-eki Station” (5 minutes walk) |
Tel: | (+81) 75-561-0467 |
Price/Charge: | 600 yen (Adult) 400 yen (High School Student or Under) 300 yen (Elementary School Students or Under) Please refer the official web page. |
Official site: | http://sanjusangendo.jp/ |
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