Why is Yoshimine Temple called the Pine Tree Temple? Well, let me tell you. Yoshimine Temple is nestled in the mountains on Kyoto’s southwest border. It offers breathtaking views and a serene escape from the bustling city. This temple is also known as the Pine Tree Temple, a name earned thanks to a remarkable resident.
Yoshimine Temple was founded in 1029 by a monk named Gensan. He envisioned a peaceful retreat amidst these tranquil mountains. Legend has it that he received divine guidance from a local deity, Achisaka Myōjin. Gensan encountered a problem. The land was incredibly rocky, making construction difficult.
That night, a herd of wild boars miraculously leveled the ground, allowing Gensan to build. He carved a statue of the Thousand-Armed Kannon, the temple’s primary deity, and so began Yoshimine Temple. The temple we see today, however, largely dates back to a 17th-century reconstruction. This was thanks to Keishō-in, the mother of the fifth Tokugawa shogun.
Now, about that pine tree. High up on the mountainside, overlooking the temple grounds, lives the Yūryū no Matsu, the “Gliding Dragon” pine. This ancient Japanese white pine is over 600 years old. It’s not the tree’s height that’s impressive, but its breadth. The Yūryū no Matsu stretches an incredible 37 meters long, its branches supported by a network of wooden beams.
The tree earned its name in 1857 when a courtier remarked that its shape resembled a playful, reclining dragon. This incredible tree, a symbol of resilience and natural beauty, is one of the main reasons why Yoshimine Temple is also fondly known as the Pine Tree Temple.