| Nanzen-ji 南禅寺 | |
|---|---|
 Thesanmon | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Nanzen-jiRinzai |
| Deity | Shaka Nyorai (Śākyamuni) |
| Status | Head Temple |
| Location | |
| Location | 86 Nanzenji Fukuchichō,Sakyō-ku,Kyoto,Kyoto Prefecture |
| Country | Japan |
| Geographic coordinates | 35°0′43.14″N135°47′39.8″E / 35.0119833°N 135.794389°E /35.0119833; 135.794389 |
| Architecture | |
| Founder | Emperor Kameyama andMukan Fumon |
| Completed | 1909 (Reconstruction) |
| Website | |
| www | |
Nanzen-ji (南禅寺,Nanzen-ji), orZuiryusan Nanzen-ji, formerlyZenrin-ji (禅林寺,Zenrin-ji), is aZenBuddhisttemple inKyoto,Japan.Emperor Kameyama established it in 1291 on the site of his previous detached palace. It is also the headquarters of the Nanzen-ji branch ofRinzai Zen. The precincts of Nanzen-ji are anationally designatedHistoric Site and the Hōjō gardens aPlace of Scenic Beauty.[1][2] The temple was destroyed in a fire in 1895 and rebuilt in 1909.
Nanzen-ji was founded in the middleKamakura period (1291, orShōō 4 in theJapanese era system).[3] It was destroyed by fire in 1393, 1447, and 1467, rebuilt in 1597, and expanded in the Edo era.[4] A large complex, it has varied over time between nine and twelve sub-temples.
Zenkei Shibayama, who provided a popular commentary on theMumonkan, was an abbot of the monastery.
Nanzen-ji is not itself considered one of the "five great Zen temples of Kyoto"; however, it does play an important role in the "Five Mountain System" which was modified from Chinese roots.Tenryū-ji (天龍寺,Tenryū-ji) is considered to be one of the so-calledKyotoGozan (京都五山,Kyōto gozan) or "five great Zen temples of Kyoto", along withShōkoku-ji (相国寺,Shōkoku-ji),Kennin-ji (建仁寺,Kennin-ji),Tōfuku-ji (東福寺,Tōfuku-ji), andManju-ji (満寿寺,Manju-ji). The head temple presiding over theGozan in Kyoto is Nanzen-ji.[5] After the completion ofShōkoku-ji byAshikaga Yoshimitsu in 1386, a new ranking system was created with Nanzen-ji at the top and in a class of its own. Nanzen-ji had the title of "First Temple of The Land" and played a supervising role.[6]
| Nanzen-ji | ||
| Kyoto | Kamakura | |
|---|---|---|
| First Rank | Tenryū-ji | Kenchō-ji |
| Second Rank | Shōkoku-ji | Engaku-ji |
| Third Rank | Kennin-ji | Jufuku-ji |
| Fourth Rank | Tōfuku-ji | Jōchi-ji |
| Fifth Rank | Manju-ji | Jōmyō-ji |
The temple's Sanmon gate was originally constructed in the 13th century, destroyed in 1369 at the order of the government, and reconstructed in 1628.[7] The gate contains stairs to an elevated viewing area, which was the setting for a famous scene in the 1778Kabuki playSanmon Gosan no Kiri[8] inspired by the story of the criminalIshikawa Goemon who is said to have spoken of the beauty of the view (but who was executed prior to the construction of the current gate).[7]
The hōjō (abbot's quarters) of Nanzen-ji is notable both for its gardens and its art.
The garden of the hōjō is considered one of the most significant examples ofkaresansui gardens (rock gardens), and was built in the 1600s byKobori Enshu.[4] The garden mirrors natural forms, and is seventy percent gravel.[9] It has been designated a national Place of Scenic Beauty.
The hōjō itself, also known as the Seiryo-den, was given to the temple by theEmperor Go-Yōzei.[10] It contains a variety of important screen paintings on gold backgrounds, including two of tigers byKanō Tan'yū.[11] It has been designated a National Treasure.
Constructed in 1890 through the temple grounds to carry irrigation water from theLake Biwa Canal.
Parts of the 2003 filmLost in Translation were filmed there.[12][13][14][15]
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Media related toNanzen-ji at Wikimedia Commons| International | |
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