Right before us stands the stele of Shokokuji Temple. Shokokuji is more than just a temple. It is a Zen center with a rich history.
Shokokuji Temple was founded in 1382. Ashikaga Yoshimitsu established it during the Muromachi period. Initial construction started in 1383. The temple complex was dedicated in 1392.
Yoshimitsu held a grand banquet. Imperial court officers and military leaders attended. The event was said to rival an imperial one.
Shun’oku Myōha was named founding abbot. However, he wanted the honor given to his teacher Musō Soseki. This honor was granted in 1385.
Fire destroyed the temple in 1394. Yoshimitsu financed its reconstruction. The temple has been rebuilt many times. The Onin War caused significant damage.
After the Muromachi period, leaders supported Shokokuji. Toyotomi Hideyoshi, his son Hideyori, and Tokugawa Ieyasu helped fund reconstructions. Hideyori rebuilt the Hatto in 1605. Ieyasu donated the Sanmon in 1609. Emperor Go-Mizunoo donated a palace building. It became the Kaisando.
Most buildings burned down in 1788. Only the Dharma Hall and Imperial Gate survived. The Hatto is Japan’s oldest Buddhist lecture hall. Today, Shokokuji Temple has 13 buildings.
Yoshimitsu created an office at Shokokuji. It oversaw all Zen temples. This power largely remains today.
Shokokuji is the main temple of the Rinzai sect’s Shokokuji School. It has 100 sub-temples including Kinkakuji and Ginkakuji. These famous temples make Shokokuji wealthy.
The Jotenkaku Museum displays treasures and cultural assets. These come from Shokokuji’s sub-temples. The tea ceremony room, Muchu-an, uses wood from Kinkakuji. A monk burned down Kinkakuji in 1950.
The Hatto features a dragon painting. Kanō Mitsunobu painted it on the domed ceiling. The dragon symbolizes Buddhist teachings. Clapping hands creates echoes. The sound resembles the dragon’s thunder.
Shokokuji is one of Kyoto’s five great Zen temples. It ranked second in Kyoto during the medieval period. Briefly, it was first among the Gozan in 1392.
Shokokuji is one of the Rinzai school’s fourteen branches. It has over ninety affiliated temples. These include the Golden Pavilion and Silver Pavilion.
Visiting Shokokuji offers tranquility. It is close to the Imadegawa subway station. The Kamo River is also nearby. Shokokuji stands as a testament to resilience. It reflects centuries of history and Zen tradition.