TOJI-IN TEMPLE

Ashikaga Takauji built Toji-in, a Rinzai Zen temple, in 1341 at the southern foot of

Mt. Kinugasa. He asked Muso Soseki, who was a famous gardener as well as the founder

of Tenryuji Temple, to make the garden. Toji-in is affiliated with the Tenryuji sect.

                                                    The simple, Zen-style garden

Points of Interest

・The painting of Daruma

     Visitors to the temple can see this famous painting near the entrance. Daruma

is credited with bringing Buddhism from India to China and founding the Zen sect

of Buddhism. So his image is often seen in Zen temples. Another image of him can be

seen at Tenryuji Temple in Arashiyama. He can easily be recognized by his big eyes and round head.

・The Garden

       This garden made by Muso Soseki consists of two parts. The easten section

of the garden is called “shinji-chi,” and the western section is called “fuyo-chi.”

Shinji- chi consists of gentle scenery that has depth, while fuyo-chi features

many flowers and arranged stones. The pond is in the shape of the Chinese character

for “mind,” kokoro, (心), so it is called “shinji-chi.”

Shinji-chi

Fuyo-chi

  ・Reiko-den

       There are fifteen wooden statues of the Ashikaga Shoguns, from Ashikaga Takauji

to Ashikaga Yoshiaki, enshrined in this building. Images of Daruma and Muso Soseki flank

the central image of Jizo Bodhisattva. The Ashikaga family statues are enshrined on the right and

left sides of the Reiko-den. Each character seems to speak about the world of

the Muromachi period to those visitors who are quiet.

                                                                                         Reiko-den                    http://www.kadode.com/toujiin.htm

Ashikaga Yoshimitsu built Kinkakuji Temple (the Golden Pavilion) and Ashikaga Yoshimasa built

Ginkakuji Temple (the Silver Pavilion), both of which are Zen temples, but Toji-in is the Ashikaga family’s temple.

Therefore this is a very sacred place and a valuable cultural asset that is preserved still now.

                            Tomb of Ashikaga Takauji

・ Location and Cost

Toji-in is located south of Ritsumeikan University, about 5 minutes on foot from Toji-in Station

on the Keifuku Kitano Line.

Entry fee is 500 yen.

・References

  ● Tojiin Temple brochure

　● http://kyoto.jr-central.co.jp/kyoto.nsf/spot/sp_toujiin

　● http://www.kadode.com./toujiin.htm