I'm curious about Koryuji Temple, the temple associated with Prince Shotoku!
Hello! It's Mo. Recently, I've been to many temples and shrines in Kyoto, as well as places with beautiful cherry blossoms and autumn leaves! Kyoto is really interesting because, in addition to the many temples and shrines, there are also many famous places to see cherry blossoms and autumn leaves. Each one has its own unique character, so the more you get to know it, the more profound it becomes!!!
Well, this time I would like to explain about Koryuji Temple, but do you all know about this building???
I had some idea about this temple, but I didn't know any details, so I've written this article to summarise it!
This time, I would like to explain about Koryuji Temple in a simple and easy-to-understand way!
Please stay with us until the end!
What is Koryuji Temple?
Koryuji Temple is located in Uzumasa, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto City, northwest of Kyoto Station. Nearby are Toei Kyoto Studio Park and Kyoto University of Foreign Studies.
If you are coming from Kyoto Station, take the JR Sanin Main Line train bound for Sonobe and get off at Uzumasa Station. From there, it is a 6-minute walk to Koryuji Temple.
Now that you know where Koryuji Temple is located, we will tell you about its history.
There are various stories about the construction of Koryuji Temple, although it is not certain. Koryuji Temple is counted as one of the "Seven Great Temples Built by Prince Shotoku," meaning one of the seven temples built by Prince Shotoku. Some books say it was founded in 622 to commemorate Prince Shotoku, while the "Nihon Shoki" says it was built in 603, but the exact date is unclear.
The person who built it was Hata no Kawakatsu, who was considered to be Prince Shotoku's closest retainer.
Hata Kawakatsu was originally of Han Chinese descent, and is said to have imparted various techniques and knowledge, such as agriculture, sericulture, and civil engineering, to the people of Japan. He must have been a very active man!
Koryuji Temple is the oldest temple in Japan, and was the first temple built after Buddhism was introduced to Japan from China. It is said to have been built either before or after the capital was moved to Heian-kyo. It was not originally called Koryuji Temple, but changed its name to Hachioka-ji Temple, Shinko-ji Temple, Uzumasa-ji Temple, and so on, eventually becoming its current name, Koryuji Temple.
Highlights of Koryuji Temple
・It's even in textbooks! You can see the "Half-seated Pensive Statue"!!!!!
The half-seated pensive statue is a beautiful statue with the right foot resting on the left knee, the right hand gently placed on the cheek, and the Buddha appearing to be thinking about something, but with a slight smile on his face.
I was fascinated by this statue and have looked at it in my textbooks many times. Its official name is "Wooden Maitreya Bodhisattva Half-Knee Pensive Statue." It's quite a long name! This sculpture is a national treasure and is said to be the principal image at the time of the temple's founding. The pensive statue is made from red pine, which gives it a reddish hue. This pensive statue is on regular display, so you can see it any time! Many famous statues are hidden treasures or can only be seen once a year, so it's great to see this one!
・The Prince Shotoku Fire Festival is unique to Koryuji Temple, which is closely related to Prince Shotoku!
Koryuji Temple, a temple associated with Prince Shotoku, holds the Prince Shotoku Fire Festival on November 22nd, the anniversary of Prince Shotoku's death. The hidden statue of Prince Shotoku in the main hall and the hidden statue of Yakushi Nyorai in the Reihoden Hall are opened to the public. Unfortunately, the Prince Shotoku Fire Festival was not held in 2020. As the name suggests, the Prince Shotoku Fire Festival sees tens of thousands of goma wood being burned on sacred bamboo poles erected in the temple grounds.
〇 Nearby tourist attractions
・Toei Kyoto Studio Park
Kyoto Studio Park is a theme park where you can transform into a ninja, samurai, town girl, and more, and enjoy attractions and authentic sets! Filming for movies, dramas, and period dramas are still taking place here. It is a theme park that can be enjoyed by children and adults alike, with not only Japanese-themed trick art, ninja shows, and street performances, but also activities such as climbing a 7-meter wall that will delight active children, a three-dimensional maze, and Instagram-worthy photo spots that will delight modern girls. There is also a wide variety of gourmet food! There are many attractive foods, such as "Mito Han Ramen," which is said to be the first ramen eaten by Mito Komon in Japan, "Kyoto Kujo Negi Udon," which uses Kujo Negi, a must-try if you come to Kyoto, and "Yuba Donburi," which uses yuba, a famous food that is so famous that it is synonymous with "yuba" when it comes to Kyoto!
It's only a 5-minute walk from Koryuji Temple, so if you have the time, we highly recommend this place!
Toei Kyoto Studio Park's official website
https://www.toei-eigamura.com/
Summary
If you are going to visit the wonderful place, Kyoto, we recommend renting a kimono!!
Kimono rental shop VASARA is based in Kyoto and is popular with people of all ages.
Kimono Rental VASARA Kyoto Station Store
https://vasara-h.co.jp/shop/detail.html?id=20
We help many customers dress and style their hair 365 days a year, so our skilled staff can transform you into a beautiful person in a short time! Our staff will dress you in a kimono beautifully to fit each person's body. Also, at VASARA Kimono Rental, we not only dress you in the kimono but also do your hair, so there's no need to go to a beauty salon! You'll get a cute hairstyle that suits you and a beautiful dressing! With this, you too may become a beautiful woman in a kimono or yukata ❤❤
If you are interested, please check out the plans, prices, and kimono list!
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