Page 190 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Japan

mausoleum enshrines the
spirits of Tokugawa Ieyasu, his
son Hidetada, and grand son
Did You Know? Iemitsu. The temple also
possesses a huge bell that is
Chion-in Temple’s solemnly rung 108 times (once
Sanmon is the largest for each sin man is prone to
gate in Japan. commit) on New Year’s Eve.
EXPERIENCE Kyoto City 7 " 8

Nishi Hongan-ji
西本願寺
Chion-in Temple
 C5 ⌂ 60 Horikawa-dori
知恩院
@ 9, 28, 75 to Nishi
 D4 ⌂ 400 Rinkacho,
Honganji-mae # 5:30am–
Higashiyama-ku Hanaya-chō, Shimogyo-ku
 Higashiyama Stn, Tozai 5pm daily ∑ hongwanji.
line @ 206 to Chion-in-mae or.jp/english
# 9am–4:30pm daily With their ornately carved
∑ chion-in.or.jp/en
transoms (panels above
The colossal Sanmon was built doors), massive flower-decked
to proclaim the supremacy of altars, and shimmering
Jodo-sect Buddhism, of which expanses of tatami matting,
Chion-in is the head quarters. Kyoto’s cavernous Hongan-ji one of which is thought to
It also emphasized the temples, with their huge be the oldest Noh stage in
authority of the Tokugawa Goei-do (founder’s halls) existence; Hiunkaku, a large
shogunate, which funded and smaller Amida-do, testify tea pavilion; and the Karamon,
the temple’s restoration. to the power and popularity or Chinese gate. The Shoin
The well-endowed complex of the Jodo-Shinshu sect. is open twice a month, but
occupies the site where Honen, Nishi Hongan-ji is rich in dates vary (the Kuroshoin,
the founder of the Jodo sect, national treasures, but not however, is never shown).
started to preach in 1175. It all are always on view. They Hiunkaku can only be visited
boasts a lavish founder’s hall, include the Shoin (study hall), if a booking is made at least
a smaller hall enshrining an with its lavishly decorated a day in advance, although
image of Amida Buddha, Shiroshoin and Kuroshoin this is not required on days
and elegant reception halls compartments; Kokei no when special events are held.
decorated with Kano School Niwa, a garden featuring A large donation is required
paintings. The Gongen-do cycad palms; two Noh stages, if attending a tea ceremony
or a Noh event at Hiunkaku.

9
Higashi Hongan-ji
東本願寺
 C5 ⌂ 754 Tokiwacho,
Karasuma dori Shichijo-
agaru £ JR Kyoto Stn
# Mar–Oct: 5:50am–5:30pm
daily; Nov–Feb: 6:20am–
4:30pm daily ∑ higashi
honganji.or.jp
Higashi Hongan-ji’s immense
and lavish Goei-do gate is
one of the first tradi tional
structures visitors to Kyoto
see as they head north out
Worshippers lighting incense sticks and of Kyoto Station. The temple’s
praying at Kyoto’s Chion-in Temple Goei-do (founder’s hall) dates
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