Peering through the trees at \u6200\u585a\u5bfa Stele, a story of love, loss and redemption unfolds. \u6200\u585a\u5bfa is a Jodo sect temple in Kyoto. It is located in Fushimi Ward Shimotoba Tagenoecho.
According to temple legend a warrior named Endo Morito deeply regretted his misdeeds. In the late Heian period Morito fell in love with a woman. She was the wife of Watanabe Gosaemon Minoru. Tragically Morito mistakenly killed her.
Consumed by remorse Morito became a monk named Mongaku. He then built a temple to pray for her soul. This is said to be the origin of \u6200\u585a\u5bfa.
Inside the main hall wooden statues of Amida Nyorai, Lady Yokobue, Watanabe Minoru and Mongaku are enshrined. Within the grounds stands a pagoda called \u6200\u585a. It is believed to be Lady Yokobue’s grave.
The temple’s founding story teaches about the importance of morality. It has inspired various art forms over time. These include stories, poems and novels. Examples include “Genpei Seisuiki” and Ryunosuke Akutagawa’s “Yokobue to Morito.” Also mentioned is Kan Kikuchi’s “Yokobue no Ryojin.” The movie “Gate of Hell” is also based on this tale.
Treasures of the temple include color paintings of the temple’s origins. There is also a portrait of Lady Yokobue by Tosa Mitsunobu. Also a stone monument details the temple’s history.
There are two \u6200\u585a mounds one in Kamitoba and one in Shimotoba. According to “Miyako Meisho Zue” the Kamitoba mound is a transformed carp mound.
To get here take a bus from Kyoto Station to Shimotoba Jono-Echomae. Then walk three minutes. There is also a parking area for visitors.
Note that the Koi塚Ezu and Yokobue Gozen images are not shown during regular services. These take place from March 15 to late April, August 5 to late September and November 15 to late November.
Please be aware that the temple may be closed at other times. This is due to unforeseen circumstances. Also from July 25 to August 4, the temple is closed as well. However, worship is still possible.
So standing before \u6200\u585a\u5bfa Stele, you’re not just seeing stone. You are witnessing a monument to enduring love and repentance. It is a story that continues to resonate through art and time.