Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto
Brief History of Ancient Japan
Inscribed:1994
Built in 794 A.D. on the model of the capitals of ancient China, Kyoto was the Imperial capital of Japan from its foundation until the middle of the 19th century. As the center of Japanese culture for more than a thounsand years, it spans the development of Japanese wooden architecture, particularly religious architecture, and the art of Japanese gardens, which has influenced garden landscaping the world over.
Toji Temple
This temple was originally built in 794 by Emperor Kanmu as protection for the city. In 823, Emperor Saga offered the temple to Priest Kukai. It became the headquarters of Shingon Buddhism. In spite of repeated fires, the unusual Hakkyakumon Gate (eight-legged gate) and the Kita Daimon Gate have stood since the Kamakura period (1192-1333). The Kondo Hall, a National Treasure, was rebuilt by Hideyoshi Toyotomi, and houses the impressive Yakushi Sanzon statues (statue of three Yakushi), Important Cultural Properties. In the Kondo Hall, another Important Cultural Property, there are 21 statues of the Buddha, 15 of which are designated National Treasures. The famous five-storied pagoda, also a National Treasure, was built by Iemitsu Tokugawa, third Edo shogun, and is the tallest in Japan. It is said to represent both Toji temple and the whole city of Kyoto. There is a flea market here on the 21st of each month, which is visited by crowds of Japanese and tourists.
Nishi-honganji Temple
This temple was originally built in Higashiyama-Otani by Priestess Kakushin, daughter of Shinran (founder of Jodo-Shin Buddhism) and was moved to its present site in 1591 by Hideyoshi Toyotomi, one of Japan's great military leaders. The standing Amida statue in the main hall and the seated Shinran statue in the Goeido Hall have been designated Important Cultural Properties. The lovely Daishoin garden and the oldest *Noh stage in Japan are also at this temple.
*Noh; a kind of Japanese plays made in Muromachi period. It has a feature of being extremely stylized.
Nijoh-jo Castle
Construction of this remarkable edifice was started in 1603 by Ieyasu Tokugawa, the first shogun of the Edo period (1603-1868) and completed in 1626 by Iemitsu, the third shogun. It was used as a residence by the Edo shoguns when they visited Kyoto.
A notable feature of Nijojo is the squeaking "nightingale" floor, which was designed to alert the inmates of the house to the presence of intruders. The castle is quite palatial; works of famous artists of the Kano school decorate the sliding doors, walls, and ceiling. The Ninomaru garden was created by Enshu Kobori, and has been designated a Site of Scenic Beauty.
Kiyomizu-dera Temple
This is one of the most popular tourist sites in Kyoto. This temple is said to have been built in 778 by *Sakanoue no Tamuramaro, ruler of the area at that time. The temple is located on the slopes Mt. Otowa, and covers 120 thousand square meters. Most of the present halls date from the rebuilding done in 1633 by Iemitsu Tokugawa, third shogun of the Edo period.
The main hall is a National Treasure. Constructed without a single nail, this hall includes the famous Kiyomizu veranda, which affords visitors a view of the Kiyomizu grounds against the backdrop of Kyoto in the distance. The largest three-storied pagoda in Japan is on the grounds. The Otowa waterfall is another attraction. Kiyomizudera is especially lovely in the spring, during cherry blossom season, and fall, when the leaves change. There are numerous sounvenir shops and Kiyomizu-yaki pottery shops nearby.
Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Pavilion)
The third shogun of the Muromachi period. Yoshimitsu Ashikaga, renovated the villa on this site and called in the Kitayama Villa. After Yoshimitsu's death, Muso Kokushi converted the villa into a Zen temple. The three-storied Kinkaku building was rebuilt in 1955 after being burnt down by a student-monk. The outer walls of the second and third floors are covered with gold foil, and the building is crowned by a gold phoenix. The garden is in the Muromachi period style.
Daigoji Temple
Built from 859 to 877, the oldest five-storied pagoda in Kyoto is in this temple, and is a national treasure. The Sanpo-in is famous for its pruned garden in the Momoyama period style.
Ginkakuji Temple (Silver Pavilion)
This temple, originally named Higashiyama Villa, was built in 1489 by shogun Yoshimasa Ashikaga, following the tradition of the Kitayama Villa (Kinkakuji) which was built by his grandfather Yoshimitsu. Yoshimasa was unable to complete his plan of coating the pavilion with silver foil due to a lack of funds.
Muso Soseki converted the site into a temple. The pavilion itself is quite lovely, if not as dramatic as its golden counterpart. The garden, which has a section with sand forms and a section with a lake, trees and stones, is lovely year round.
Ryoanji Temple
Originally built in 1450 by Katsumoto Hosokawa, this temple belong to the Rinzai sect of Buddhism. The Rock Garden is famous for its extreme simplicity, which reflects the Zen teaching Soami, the creator, had studied. It consists exclusively of neatly raked white sand and 15 rocks. The rocks are said to represent tigers, and the sand to depict a river. In this style of gardening, Karesansui, white sand represents water and rocks symbolize islands or animals.
Ninnaji Temple
Construction of this temple was started by Emperor Koko and completed by his successor, Emperor Uda. Emperor Uda abdicated the throne to become head priest of Ninnaji Temple, which had been called the Old Imperial Palace of Omuro until that time. The buildings were all destroyed by fire in 1467, but were rebuilt using donations from the Kyoto Imperial Palace and funs from the Tokugawas, effective rulers at the time. Some of those buildings still remain. These include the Kondo Hall, Sanmon Gate, Meido Hall, and five-storied pagoda. These are all designated either National Treasures or Important Cultural Properties.
The headquarters of the nationally known Omuro school of Flower Arrangement are on the grounds. The low branched, squat Omuro cherry trees surrounded by pine trees near the five storied pagoda are quite famous, and have been admired for hundreds of years.
Shimogamo Shrine
This historic shrine, the oldest in Kyto, was built before Kyoto bacame the capital of Japan in 794. It is located in the huge Adashinomori forest. This shrine was dedicated along with Kamigamo Jinja Shrine (higher shrine) to the Goddess of Kamogawa river. The two shrines are considered as one; hence, their festivals are held on the same day. One of the biggest festivals, Aoi, takes place on May 15th.
Kamigamo Shrine
Tenryuji Temple
This began as the villa of Emperor Kameyama. Takauji Ashikaga, a shogun of the Muromachi period (1334-1568) transformed it into a Zen temple dedicated to the welfare of the Emperor Godaigo's soul (grandson of Kameyama). A dramatic dragon is painted on the ceiling of in the Hodo Hall. The Sogenchi pond on the grounds is shaped like the Chinese character for heart (kokoro), which means enlightened heart to Zen followers.
Kozanji Temple
This temple was rebuilt by Myokei Joh-nin in Kamakura period. There is a the oldest field of green tea which is said to be introduced from China.
Saihoji Temple
Byohdo-in Shrine
This shrine is famous for the main Hoh-ohdo(Amidado) Hall carved on Japanese 10-yen coins. The shrine was built by Michinaga Fujiwara as a villa, and his son, Yorimichi Fujiwara rinovated the villa as a shrine in 1052.
Three-meter-tall Amida-Buddha and 51 Bodhisattvas stand in the main hall, and produce a romantic atomosphere.
Ujikami Shrine
The main hall which stands in quiet precinct is the oldest shrine building in Japan. It was built in the Fujiwara period.
Enryakuji Temple
Built by Saicho (767~822/founder of Tendai Buddhism) as the main temple of the Tendai Buddhism, the temple has been respected as the sanctuary.