Enko-ji Temple, known for its framed garden

Leaf KYOTO Highlights of Enko-ji Temple, known for its framed garden

2024.4.24

Highlights of Enko-ji Temple, known for its framed garden

Originally a school built by Tokugawa Ieyasu in Fushimi in 1601 for teaching and learning, it was moved to its present location in 1667. After the Meiji era (1868-1912), it became Japan's only dojo specializing in nuns, and zazen sessions are still held every Sunday early morning in the zendo.

Contents of this article

1.: Another World in This World in a Framed Garden

2.: Bamboo grove of Okyo loved by the painter at the end of the moss carpet.

3.: A dragon dances freely through a sea of clouds on white sand in the tororyu garden.

4.: Beautiful suikinkutsu, both the cool sound and the surface of the water

5.: Sunday morning early morning zazen meeting to strengthen the mind

1.Another World in This World in a Framed Garden

苔と青もみじ、そして竹林の緑が視界を覆う十牛之庭は、牛を追う牧童の様子が、悟りへの修行の道と重なって描かれた「十牛図」が題材。牛に見立てた大きな石の上で、修行する尼僧たちが人が寝静まった後も坐禅を行なっていたのではないか、という説もある。ありのままの自然を尊重し、必要な手入れを施した庭園が、ただただ自然に身を置く無心な時間を与えてくれる。本堂から眺める庭園・十牛之庭があまりにも美しいことから、柱を額縁に見立てて鑑賞する人が多数。真っ赤に染まる秋の紅葉はもちろん秀麗だが、太陽の光のもと生命力に溢れる青もみじのグリーンも格別の美しさ。

2.Bamboo grove of Okyo loved by the painter at the end of the moss carpet.

The garden, Jugyu-no-niwa, is a pond garden with a circular path around it, said to have been created in the early modern period. After praying in the main hall, go down to the garden and enjoy a stroll. As you walk deeper into the garden, admiring the moss, you will see a bamboo grove favored by the Edo period painter Maruyama Okyo.

3.A dragon dances freely through a sea of clouds on white sand in the tororyu garden.

The Heisei period karesansui (dry landscape) and torinryu garden, in which a dragon seems to be dancing in the sky. The diagonally protruding stones represent the dragon's horns, and the roof tiles represent its body. The garden is not marked by any clasping stones because the garden is intended to be completed in the mind of the viewer.

4.Beautiful suikinkutsu, both the cool sound and the surface of the water

At the entrance to the main hall, you will see a suikinkutsu, a water fountain where blessed water delivers beautiful tones. Every time a drop of water falls into the embedded jar, a cool echoing sound can be heard leaking outside. It is said that ancient people enjoyed moon viewing by reflecting the moon on the surface of the water, which is as wide as a cup.

5.Sunday morning early morning zazen meeting to strengthen the mind

The Sunday early morning zazen session is held every Sunday morning from 6:00 to 8:00 a.m. at the Zazendo, and is open to anyone who makes a reservation at least one day in advance. After experiencing zazen in peace and quiet, there is a cleaning called sakumu, a Dharma talk, and finally a breakfast of rice porridge is served.

Enkoji Temple

Enkouji
13 Otaricho, Ichijoji, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
17-minute walk from Ichijoji Station on the Eiden Line
Tel.075-781-8025
30 parking lots
http://www.enkouji.jp/
[Normal visit]
Visiting hours/9:00-17:00
Admission fee: 600 yen for adults, 300 yen for elementary and junior high school students

The information is subject to change. Please contact each store or facility directly for the latest information.
All prices include tax.
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*Since this site uses automatic translation, the translation may differ from the original Japanese content.

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