Much More Than A Temple — The Nanzenji-Temple of Kyoto

Nanzen-ji Temple is one of the most important Zen temples in Japan. Nestled in the foothill of the Higashiyama mountains, Nanzen-ji Temple has an enormous temple ground that accommodates many sub-temples, as well as a 19th century aqueduct. This presents tourists the opportunity for a variety of scenery in the tour. Needless to say, the late 13th century temple is itself a history lesson to learn, besides the messages that inform the philosophy of life at its famous Zen karesansui garden. Nanzen-ji Temple began as Emperor Kameyama’s retirement villa, a detached palace called Zenrin-ji palace during the middle of the Kamakura period in 1264. In 1287, Emperor Kameyama built a temple in the palace, and this temple stood for the inception of the villa’s religious nature. The original villa was turned into a temple in 1291, two years after Emperor Kameyama abdicated the throne and turned to the life of ascetism as a monk in 1289. By then, Nanzen-ji Temple has taken the form and substance as Japan’s “first temple of the land.” Throughout its long history, the temple had experienced complete destruction during the civil wars of the Muromachi period (1333-1573). Reconstruction completed in 1597, and the temple continued to expand through the Edo period. However, in 1895, the Hatto was once again destroyed by fire. The current structure is a reconstruction in 1909. The key features to appreciate at the Hojo are the national grade cultural treasures of fusuma (sliding door) paintings, the artwork of the Kano school of artists in the 17th century; and the Zen rock garden, with an imagery of a mother tiger bearing her cubs across a river. Meaning “heaven given,” the Tenjuan Temple is a small sub temple of Nanzen-ji Temple, with a main hall, a study and two gardens of 17th century construction. The day was brightly lit, but the Tenjuan Garden was cool with a warm penumbra, as trees with lush red foliage line the small pond. Large carps in gold and red swam sluggishly in the pond, their tails stroking the fallen maple leaves floating on the pond’s surface. The Nanzen-ji acqueduct is a 19th century red brick public utility structure, a part of the Lake Biwa Canal system. Beginning in 1890, the canal system draws water from Biwa Lake and in the process of channeling the water it provides Kyoto with both drinking and irrigation water, the source to power hydroelectric plants and also a passageway that enabled the transportation of goods. #nanzenjitemple #kyoto #japanesehistory #zen #zenbuddhism #zengarden #japan #asia #temple #aqueduct