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Uphill slope to a side entrance of the Bishamon-do Temple in Kyoto, Japan. Bishamondo Temple This temple is a Monzeki temple of the Tendai sect og Buddhism, where Imperial Family members or regency family members have served as head priests. It is a renowned temple in Yamashina area for its beautiful weeping cherry blossoms in spring and georgous autumn leaves. According to temple records, the origin of this temple was Izumo Temple, which was estblished in the north of the Imperial Palace in 703. Later, it was named Bishamondo Temple because the high priest Saicho (the Reverend Denkyo Daishi) enshrined his hand-made statue of Bishamonten there. It was devastated by repeated battles. However, the priest Tenkai of the Tendai sect and his disciple Kokai, who succeeded to Tenkai's wishes, reconstructed the temple at the present site in 1665. Later, the priest Koben (1669~1716), who was a prince of Emperor Gosai, became the chief priest of this temple. Since then, it has been a Monzeki temple. The principle image, the statue of Bishamonten, is enshrined in the main hall in the center. The Shinden back on the left is the former palace of Emperor Gosai, which the emperor donated to the temple. The picture of a dragon on the ceiling, the directions of the eyes and the face of which differ depending on from which directio you lok at it, and partition paintings such as Kyuro-no zu (Picture of Nine Elders) drawn in reverse perspective, are particularly fampous. Behind the Shinden is located a stroll garden with a lake named the Bansuien Garden.
Steep steps leading up to the Bishamon-do Temple in Kyoto, Japan
Bishamon-Do Shorin-ji Temple, Kyoto
A small Zen garden at Bishamon-Do Shorin-ji Temple in Kyoto, Japan
Fall colors at the Buddhist Bishamon-do temple in Kyoto, Japan
Bishamon-do temple Kyoto, Japan
Garden and pond at the Bishamon-do temple in Kyoto, Japan
Bishamon-do temple Kyoto, Japan
Fall colors at the Buddhist Bishamon-do temple in Kyoto, Japan
Bishamon-do temple Kyoto, Japan
Reflection of the Bishamon-do temple, Kyoto, Japan
Ikebana at the Bishamon-Do temple in Yamashina, Kyoto, Japan
Gohozan Sorin-in Temple (Yamashina Shoten)
This is a sub-temple of the Bishamon-do Monzeki. It was founded in 1665, at the same time as Bishamon-do. The principal image is a statue of the Buddhist deity Daishokangiten (Shoten), revered by the imperial prince Kojun Hoshinno. This image is worshipped alongside more than 70 other Shoten statues, donated to the temple in later years by other temples and many followers, includin Takeda Shingen. The number of Shoten images is unparalleled. Widely revered as Yamashina Shoten, the temple is regarded as having the power to grant wishes. Fudo-do hall, which greets the visitors entering by the main gate, is of a special structure that allows the burning of prayer sticks within the hall. This hall houses a Fudo-Myo statue with a unique lineage. The statue was made out of more than 100 parts of Buddhist statues from different eras in Japan's past.
Colorful Japanese Maple leaves at the Buddhist Bishamon-do temple in Kyoto, Japan
Yamashina Canal and Anshoji River. The transport of water from Lake Biwa began with the 1st Lake Biwa Canal, on which construction began in 1885. The construction of the canal required the damming of some river and valley water flow from the mountains in the northern part of Yamashina. Outlets were created between Fujio and Yamashina to bring water from the lake to every corner of Yamashina. The course of Anshoji River was altered during construction, and the brick arch bridge built over the river in 1887 produced a graded separation where the canal passes over the river.
Yamashina Canal and Anshoji River
Yamashina Canal and Anshoji River The transport of water from Lake Biwa began with the 1st Lake Biwa Canal, on which construction began in 1885. The construction of the canal required the damming of some river and valley water flow from the mountains in the northern part of Yamashina. Outlets were created between Fujio and Yamashina to bring water from the lake to every corner of Yamashina. The course of Anshoji River was altered during construction, and the brick arch bridge built over the river in 1887 produced a graded separation where the canal passes over the river.
