“Small Hill, Two Noble Temples” that’s what they say about this area. Yet the \u897f\u5c71 \u5f18\u6e90\u7985\u5bfa Stele whispers a story of its own. It is a silent witness to the passage of time. It stands here at Kogen-ji Temple. This subtemple of Tenryu-ji has a rich history.
Kogen-ji was established in 1429. Hosokawa Mochiyuki founded it. He was a high-ranking official. He served in the Muromachi Shogunate. The temple’s name comes from Hosokawa’s Buddhist name after death.
Originally Kogen-ji was located at the foot of Mount Ogura. After fires and misfortunes the temple moved in 1882. It stands at its present site today. Kogen-ji is small. Yet it holds many treasures.
Takeuchi Seiho was a famous nihonga painter. He was influential in Kyoto’s art scene. Seiho was friends with Kogen-ji’s head priest. Seiho’s son Shiro fell ill. He convalesced at the temple.
Takeuchi’s students created paintings to cheer Shiro up. These paintings are still at the temple. Before entering the main buildings look to the Bishamon Hall. The plaque has calligraphy by Kobo Daishi. He was a famous priest. Fujiwara Fuseki painted the ceiling inside. It shows flowers of all seasons.
The Bishamon Hall holds a statue of Bishamonten. He is a god of war dating back to the 9th century. The main hall was built in the early 1600s. It is made in a residential style. Samurai tested their swords on the pillars in 1864. They bivouacked here before attacking the Imperial Palace. You can still see the sword cuts today.
Kogen-ji has beautiful gardens. The Tiger’s Roar Garden is its main garden. It is a dry garden with grey sand. Hedges add a splash of color. There is also a lush garden behind the main hall.
Rev. Tahara Shunin was friendly with Takeuchi Seiho’s art academy. It was known as the Bamboo Staff Atelier. When Takeuchi Shiro was ill Rev. Tahara invited him to Kogen-ji. Sakakibara Taizan suggested that other disciples paint pictures for Shiro’s room. Twenty-four members participated in this endeavor. They showed their affection for Takeuchi Seiho and his son. They devoted five years to the project. Newspapers referred to Kogen-ji as “Seiho-ji”.
Takeuchi Seiho’s paintings and those of his students are on permanent display. Nishiyama Suisho Tokuoka Shinsen and Yamamoto Kon are among them.
Mukai Kyorai a haikai poet is buried in Kogen-ji’s graveyard. He was a disciple of Matsuo Basho.
Remember the \u897f\u5c71 \u5f18\u6e90\u7985\u5bfa Stele. It marks a place of art history and spiritual solace. It is a place where art and history intertwine.