“Imagine being transported back to 733 AD” I want to tell you about Hofukuji. This temple has a rich history. It began with the priest Gyoki Bodhisattva.
Hofukuji once served as a burial ground. It was part of Kyoto’s three major cemeteries in Toribeno. In 1346, the priest Shiso of Kinren Temple revitalized Hofukuji. It then became a branch temple of Kinren Temple. People called it Toribeno Dojo.
The temple was rebuilt as Jizo-do in 1912. After the war, it fell into disrepair. The structure was removed in 1974. In 2018, the former chief priest of Chorakuji Temple, Saizan Makino, rebuilt it.
Hofukuji is linked to Toji Temple in Kyoto. It is a significant Zen temple in the region. Once, it was a Tendai sect temple. It converted to the Rinzai sect early in the Kamakura period.
At its peak, Hofukuji had many structures. These included a pagoda and a school. Over 300 branch temples existed outside the mountain. The painter Sesshu visited this temple.
The three-story pagoda is the oldest structure. During its dismantling and repair, an ink inscription from 1376 was discovered. This pagoda is the second oldest in Okayama Prefecture.
Most other buildings were lost in wartime fires. Successive head priests worked hard to restore Hofukuji. It now features a spacious Zen layout. Its construction is elaborate.
Hofukuji has seven halls. It is representative of Zen temples in Okayama Prefecture. The serene grounds offer seasonal beauty. New greenery appears in spring. Red leaves color the landscape in autumn.
Several items at Hofukuji are designated cultural properties. The three-story pagoda received this designation in 1927. The color painting of Jizo Bosatsu dates back to 1868. The color painting of the Ten Kings also dates to 1868. The temple bell was designated in 1959. Hofukuji itself received designation in 2000.
The temple bell is tall. It features twin dragon heads with a jewel. An inscription indicates it was cast in 1468 for Reisenji Temple. The reason for its relocation to Hofukuji is unknown.
Zen temples often place pagodas behind the main hall. Hofukuji follows this pattern. The pagoda stands on a small hill behind the main hall. It is a three-bay structure with a roof. The total height is 18.4 meters. The design is based on Japanese style.
Sesshu Toyo was born in 1420 in Akahama. This is now Soja City. As a child, he entered Hofukuji. Legend says he drew mice with his tears. Later, he went to Shokoku-ji in Kyoto. There, he studied under Shuubun. Sesshu became a renowned painter.
The Sesshu Summit promotes exchange. It connects cities and towns associated with Sesshu. Soja City hosted the first summit in 1990.