Leaf KYOTO Delivered by Leaf, a local information magazine!

FOLLOW US

2022.7.21
  • LINE
  • FaceBook
  • twitter
Flower ceiling of Chugakuji Temple

Cleanse your mind with a prayer over flowers and art [Ryogoji Temple]

Koyasan Shingon Sect temple founded by Rinsei Shonin in 732. The temple is the second of the "25 Flower Temples in Kansai," and visitors can enjoy lotus, azalea, camellia, and other flowers depending on the season. The flower ceiling, which was painted when the main hall was completely reconstructed in 2002-2003, is the "Rurikoka Mandala" by Keisho Maruyama and Shinsho Maruyama, both direct descendants of the Maruyama School by Okyo Maruyama. There are 96 flowers painted directly on Akita cedar boards, and many familiar flowers and plants, such as morning glories, hydrangeas, and cherry blossoms, are also depicted.

1.Lankramgama Temple and flower ceiling

Koyasan Shingon Sect temple founded by Rinsei Shonin in 732. The principal image enshrined in the main hall is Yakushi Ruriko-nyorai. The temple is the second of the "25 Flower Temples in Kansai," and visitors can admire lotus, azalea, camellia, and other flowers depending on the season. The main hall, on which the flower ceiling is painted, was built in the Genroku era (1688-1704) and completely reconstructed in 2002-2003 due to deterioration. The flower ceiling painted at that time is the "Rurikoka Mandala" by Keisho Maruyama and Shinsho Maruyama, both direct descendants of the Maruyama School by Okyo Maruyama. There are 96 flowers painted directly on Akita cedar boards, and many familiar flowers and plants are depicted, including morning glories, hydrangeas, and cherry blossoms.

Suramgama Temple
Flower Ceiling of Lankramgama Temple

Ceiling painting by a direct disciple of Maruyama Okyo

From the temple known as the temple of flowers, Ryogonji, there are 96 paintings of flowers. All of the side panels depict lotuses, representing the flow of flowers from bud to bloom and fall.

2.A stunning lotus pond that looks like a scene from the Pure Land of Paradise.

From July to August, lotus flowers bloom in the lotus pond on the grounds. The lotus in full bloom is a sight to behold. The best time to visit for the lotus flowers is early in the morning. The temple also offers seasonal flowers such as cherry blossoms and azaleas in spring, beautiful autumn leaves in fall, and camellias in winter.

Lotus / A stunning lotus pond that looks like a scene from the Pure Land of Paradise

3.Fusuma-e (sliding door paintings) that make you feel love for crows

Ravens of the Four Seasons by Nagai Kazuho, an ukiyoe artist active from the Meiji period to the Showa period. He stayed at the Ryogonji Temple in 1937-13 through a relationship with a parishioner and painted these sliding doors. It is painted directly on the sliding door. Many of Ichiho's works were destroyed by fire, and those that remain are extremely valuable.

Fusuma-e (sliding door paintings) that make you feel love for crows

4.Interviewed by: Tamehiro Tetsudo, abbot

Tetsudo Tamehiro, Chief Priest

Suramgama Temple

  • dual kanji
  • 6 Ryogonji, Tatemachi, Ayabe City, Kyoto, Japan
  • 11 minutes drive from JR Ayabe Station
  • Tel. 0773-47-0043
  • 7 days a week
  • Free admission to the precincts of the temple *Payment is required to see the paintings on the sliding doors.
  • Parking available
  • http://www.ginnotou.com/
  • Inquiries required for viewing outside the lotus pond.
*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.

I want to read together

NewsNews

Feature articleFeature article

Featured eventFeatured event

↑

Site guide