 Temples & Shrines: Daitokuji
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Daitokuji Temple 大徳寺
- Massive Zen Buddhist temple complex.
- Located in north Kyoto.
- Established in 1319.
- Associated with Sen-no Rikyu & Enshu Kobori.
Daitokuji is a functioning Rinzai Zen temple complex in northwest Kyoto. The compound is a city within walls made up of 24 sub-temples. Of particular note are the small sub-temples Daisen-in and Koto-in for their lovely gardens.
The temple is also called Ryuho-zan, which means "dragon treasure mountain." It was established in 1319 by Shuho Myocho.
During the Onin War, parts of the temple were destroyed by fire. It was rebuilt with money from Sakai (Osaka) merchants and later supported by many Daimyo (feudal lords). The abbot responsible for organizing the rebuilding process was Ikkyu (1394-1481) and his former residence Shinjuan contains a statue of this revered priest and a tablet of his writing.
Free Admission for the main precincts; fees for the sub-temples & gardens.
Daitokuji's main buildings include the Chokushimon Gate, which was originally the southern gate of the Imperial Palace. The Karamon or "Chinese Gate" originally stood at Fushimi Castle.
The Sammon (Two-Story Main Gate) dates from 1589 and was reputedly built by the tea ceremony master Sen-no-Rikyu (1522-1591). The gate contains a self-statue by the great man himself. The Butsuden (Main Hall) is also full of artistic treasures as is the Hojo (the Superior's Residence), which has sliding doors painted by Tanyu Kano (1602-1674) and a garden designed by Enshu Kobori (1579-1647).
Daisen-in has paintings by Motonobu Kano (1476-1559) and its garden is one of the most highly-regarded in Japan and was designed by the 77th abbot of the temple Shuko Kogaku (1465-1548) Oda Nobunaga was buried on the grounds of the temple after his murder in 1582. His tomb and those of his sons rest in the precincts of the Soken-in sub-temple as does the grave of Hideyoshi's wife.
The Ryosen-an sub-temple (Tel: 075 411 0543) holds early morning zazen (Zen meditation) sittings.
Access
Daitokuji
Daitokuji-cho, Murasakino, Kita-ku
Tel: 075 491 0019
A fifteen minute walk from Kitaoji Subway station (Karasuma Line). Or, take #205 or #206 bus from Kyoto Station and get off at Daitokuji-mae.
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