Emperor Saga’s legacy lives on. Daikaku-ji Temple stands before you. It wasn’t always a temple. It began as Emperor Saga’s elegant palace Saga-in. Later it became his retirement villa Saga Rikyu. This impressive complex held great significance. Various emperors conducted their cloistered rule from within its walls.
The story of Daikaku-ji is intertwined with Buddhism. A severe epidemic once threatened Japan. The renowned monk Kobo Daishi proposed a solution. Emperor Saga should personally copy the Heart Sutra. He did. The epidemic subsided. This sacred handwritten sutra is still preserved at Daikaku-ji. It’s revealed to the public only once every sixty years. The next showing will be in 2078. Many pilgrims visit to copy the sutra. Their copies join the original in the temple’s collection.
Emperor Saga’s daughter Princess Masako transformed the palace into a temple. She named it Daikaku-ji in 876. This marked a significant turning point. By tradition only imperial princes became its abbots. Many emperors made it their retirement home. This shows the temple’s enduring ties to the Imperial family. During the 13th and 14th centuries retired emperors resided there. They wielded considerable power even in retirement. This became known as cloistered rule.
The temple has a rich history of rebuilding. A devastating fire in 1336 destroyed much of the original structure. It was meticulously reconstructed. Later during the Edo period Emperor Go-Mizunoo added Momoyama period buildings. He moved them from the Kyoto Imperial Palace. The main hall and Founder’s Hall came from the palace.
The temple’s beauty is undeniable. The sliding door paintings are breathtaking. Kano Sanraku and Shiko Watanabe created them. They feature vibrant peony trees and plum blossoms. A unique touch is the ink painting of a hawk. A painted hare is above the doors. These artistic treasures are important cultural properties.
Osawa Pond predates the temple itself. Emperor Saga created this beautiful 2.4-hectare artificial lake. He may have done it during his reign or after his retirement. The pond’s shape supposedly mirrors Dongting Lake in China. It’s a classic chisen-shuyu garden viewed best from a boat. The lake was formed by damming a stream from Nakoso waterfall. Two islands grace the pond. The smaller is called Chrysanthemum Island. Small rocky islets resemble Chinese junks. A dry cascade on a nearby hillside evokes a waterfall’s effect.
Poets celebrated the pond’s beauty. Ki no Tomonori’s poem speaks of the chrysanthemum island. He questions why another chrysanthemum grows amidst Osawa Pond’s depths. Another poem recalls the cascade’s murmur. The garden’s beauty inspired words that echoed through the ages. Tradition holds that the pond and flowers are the birthplace of the Saga school of ikebana. It’s named after Emperor Saga.
Daikaku-ji offers more than just history. It provides a tranquil setting. The temple’s courtyard gardens are peaceful. The moon-viewing party held each autumn showcases Heian period traditions. The lake is now a beloved park for Kyoto’s residents. The temple is a mesmerizing blend of history art and tranquility. This is Daikaku-ji.