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2021.3.10
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Let's go see the "Nirvana" in Kyoto!

The cold weather has gradually eased and spring has sprung.
Do you know about the Nirvana?

What is Nirvana?
This painting depicts the scene when the Buddha died.
It is displayed as the principal image at the Nirvana Puja, a Buddhist memorial service held on February 15 of the lunar calendar (March 15 of the new calendar), the day on which the deceased is believed to have died.

In this issue, we would like to introduce three Nirvana paintings that will be on special display in Kyoto this spring.
Take your Corona precautions, check out the sights, and enjoy the world of Nirvana.

*Please note that the information contained herein is subject to change without notice.

1.Sennyu-ji Temple / Nirvana Ceremony

Sennyuji Temple is known as a family temple of the Imperial Family. The "Great Nirvana" on special display is one of the largest in Japan and is painted in true colors on paper. It was painted in 1717, in the middle of the Edo period (1603-1867), by a priest of the Pure Land sect, Meiyo Koshin Shonin. Because of its size, it had to be folded and hung in a U-shape from the ceiling to the floor to fit inside the hall. The beauty of the colors depicted in the powerful painting of the Nirvana is breathtaking. The Nirvana Puja (Buddhist service) will be held on Monday, March 15, from 10:00 a.m.

Date/Time: Sunday, March 14 - Tuesday, March 16, 2021
9:00-17:00 (Registration closes at 16:30)
*There will be two Nirvana Puja memorial services on Monday, the 15th from 10:00am and 1:00pm.
Admission: Adults 500 yen, Elementary school students and younger 300 yen

Sennyu-ji Temple

2.Honbo-ji Temple / 2021 Spring Special Exhibition of Temple Treasures: Hasegawa Tohaku's Painting of the Nirvana

Honbo-ji Temple has a strong connection with famous artists. The "Nirvana of the Buddha" in the collection was painted in 1599 by Hasegawa Tohaku, a painter active in the Azuchi-Momoyama period, as a memorial to his son, Kyuzo, on the seventh anniversary of his early death. The distinctive feature of the painting is the Western-style collie depicted in the lower part of the image. It is thought that Tohaku painted the collie after seeing Namban people walking with them in the port towns of Osaka and Sakai. Normally, a reproduction of this painting is on display, but during the exhibition period, visitors will have a special opportunity to see the original.

Date/Time: Sunday, March 14, 2021 - Thursday, April 15, 2021
10:00-16:00
*Closed on Saturday, April 3.
Admission: Adults 1000 yen, Junior and senior high school students 600 yen, Elementary school students and younger free

main temple structure (sanctuary, hall)

3.Shinnyodo / Great Nirvana Special Viewing

Shinnyo-do Hall is also known for its cherry blossoms and autumn leaves. The "Great Nirvana" was painted in the mid-Edo period (1706) in richly colored woodblock-printed woodblock-printed woodblock-printed paper by the Jodo sect's high priest Nyokyu and others. The painting depicts animals, insects, and other living creatures, and is said to be the largest number of its kind in Japan (127). There are only about 10 or so examples of nirvana paintings depicting cats in Japan, making them extremely rare.
During the festival, Hanakuso arare, which is said to bring good health, is given to those who eat it.

Date/Time: Monday, March 1, 2021 - Sunday, April 4, 2021
9:00 - 16:00 (Registration closes at 15:45)
Admission: Adults 1000 yen, Junior high school students 900 yen, Elementary school students and younger free
* Free for those with a disability certificate. Please present your disability certificate.

*Please note that the information contained herein is subject to change without notice.
*Since this site uses automatic translation, the translation may differ from the original Japanese content.

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