“Who was Empress Komyo?” I ask you now. The \u66f9\u6d1e\u5b97\u6cd5\u83ef\u5bfa Memorial is linked to her. Let me tell you about Empress Komyo and a temple with a similar name.
Hokkeji Temple was established as a nunnery in 782. Empress Komyo oversaw this conversion. It became a place for prayers. These prayers were for her father Fujiwara Fubito.
Empress Komyo was an ardent follower of Buddhism. She helped build the five-storied pagoda at Kofukuji. Her husband Emperor Shomu created Todaiji Temple in Nara Park. Hokkeji Temple was once much larger. It had two pagodas and many halls. Today, it feels more rural.
Hokkeji Temple served as the chief nunnery. It promoted Buddhism in Japan. Conflict damaged the temple in 1180. It was damaged again during the Sengoku Period. Toyotomi Hideyoshi and his mother Lady Yodo helped repair it in 1601.
The Main Hall at Hokkeji Temple holds two National Treasures. An eleven-headed statue of Kannon is there. It is surrounded by the Four Heavenly Kings. This sandalwood image may resemble Empress Komyo. The wood still has a lovely scent. Another treasure is the statue of Yuima-koji. He was a wealthy patron of the Buddha.
The temple grounds include the south gate and belfry. Both were completed in 1601. A small pond sits between the bell tower and the Hondo. A bathhouse was rebuilt. It served the sick and poor. This was part of Empress Komyo’s charitable work.
The Momoyama Period garden is beautiful. It may resemble the Imperial Palace gardens in Kyoto. Irises bloom in May. Plants and flowers are neatly labeled. An Edo Period farmhouse stands on the grounds too.
Hokkeji sells dog charms. These relate to charms made by Empress Komyo. They were said to help women in childbirth. They also protected against evil.
So, as we stand before this memorial, remember Empress Komyo. She was a devout Buddhist. She supported temples and helped the needy. Her legacy lives on in places like Hokkeji Temple and in the spirit of this \u66f9\u6d1e\u5b97\u6cd5\u83ef\u5bfa Memorial.