Gioji Temple in Kyoto

Gioji Temple in Kyoto

A couple of historical sites are located to the north of Jojakkoji Temple in Sagano, Kyoto. A good historical atmosphere remains in this area. Among these historical sites, the information of "Rakushisha", Nisonin Temple and Gioji Temple are shared in this page.

Please refer the page of Jojakkoji Temple" in Kyoto:
http://handejapan19.html.xdomain.jp/TravelDestinations/Kansai/Jojakkoji_E.html

Rakushisha

Rakushisha was the residence of MUKAI Kyorai (1651 - 1704) , who was a "Haiku" poet and a pupil of MATSUO Basho (1644 - 1694) .

If you walk down the gentle slope from Jojakkoji Temple to the east, you will see a village landscape. The view is very peaceful and lovely.

"Rakushisha" in Japanese means a residence where Japanese persimmons are fell. When I visited there in December, almost all persimmons were fell down.

MUKAI Kyorai purchased the mansion of a wealthy merchant in 1685 or 1686 and named it as "Rakushisha". Actually, the location of "Rakushisha", where Kyorai lived, was not known. The current existing houses were built by INOUE Jyuko (1734 - 1804) .

A poem of "Haiku" has three lines with five syllables in the first and third lines, and with seven syllables in the middle line. "Haiku" is very simple poem but describes a beautiful or impressive natural moment. Thatched roofed houses have a simple architecture style.

Rooms are also simple.

MATSUO Basho visited "Rakushisha" three times. In 1691, he stayed at "Rakushisha" for sixteen days and wrote down "Saga Diary".

Nisonin Temple

Nisonin Temple is located to the north of Jojakkoji Temple. Nisonin Temple was founded by Great Priest, Jikaku (794 - 864) in 841, in accordance with the order of Emperor Saga (786 - 842) .

The main gate of Nisonin Temple used to be a gate of Fushimi Castle. It was moved from Fushimi Castle to Nisonin Temple in 1613.

Behind the main gate, the approach continues straight ahead to the main hall. In autumn, Autumn leaves on the both sides of the approach become beautiful.

At the end of the straight approach, you will see the roofed mud wall. The atmosphere of the wall is very beautiful.

On your left, the "Chokushi-Mon" Gate, the gate for Imperial Envoys, is located. the "Chokushi-Mon" Gate was rebuilt by SAIJYONISHI Sanetaka (1455 - 1537) .

The main hall behind of the "Chokushi-Mon" Gate was also rebuilt by SAIJYONISHI Sanetaka in 1521.

In Nisonin Temple, the mausoleum of Saint HONEN (1133 - 1212) is located. Saint HONEN was the founder of Jodo Sect of the Buddhism. HONEN once stayed in Nisonin temple to spread teaching of Jodo Sect.

Fifteen years after HONEN died in 1212, he was buried at Nisonin Temple. That was in 1227.

Gioji Temple

If you walk to the north from Nisonin Temple, you will see the main gate of Danrinji Temple. If you pass through the gate and walk up the gentle slope of a pathway, you will arrive at Gioji Temple.
The main gate shown in the below photo was closed and went up the narrow steps to the back gate.

Gioji Temple was founded by RYOCHIN, who was a disciple of HONEN (1133 - 1212) . The originally Gioji Temple was named Ojoin Temple. Gionji Temple is related to "Gio", who was a Japanese traditional dancer, "Shirabyoshi" and renamed after her from Ojoin Temple.

"Gio" was in TAIRA-no Kiyomiri's favor. TAIRA-no Kiyomiri (1118 - 1181) was the head of "Heishi" Clan and became a "Daijo-Daijin", Grand Minister, which was the top position of the Imperial Court in the Heian Age (794 - 1185) . TAIRA-no Kiyomori was a tyrant at the end of the Heian Age.

"Gio" lost Kiyomori's favor and became a priest at this temple with her mother. The name of the temple became Gioji Temple named after "Gio".

The moss gardens in Gioji Temple is very beautiful. Moss shined, when sun streamed into the garden through leaves of trees.

You will walk beside bamboo forests. Bamboo forests are also beautiful.

Behind bamboo forests, the tomb of "Gio", her mother and her sister are located. Also the memorial tower of TAIRA-no Kiyomori is located beside their tombs.

"Gio" lost all her hopes and became a priest at this temple. It was when she was only twenty one years old. It was strange for me that the tomb of "Gio" and the memorial tower of TAIRA-no Kiyomori, who philandered with her, are located at the same place.

How to get there
From Kyoto Station, take a JR Sagano Line to Saga-Arashiyama. It will take you approximately twenty-five minutes to Gioji Temple on foot. From Shijyo-Karasuma, take a #91 bus to SAGA-Shakado-Mae. It will fifteen minutes from SAGA-Shakado-Mae on foot.

Official English site of Gioji Temple:
https://www.giouji.or.jp/en/

Other Historical Sites near by:
Tenryuji Temple
Sagano Area
Jojakkoji Temple
Saga-Toriimoto
Adashino Area