Tenryu-in Temple is one of the highest rank Zen Buddhist Temple in Japan. It was established in year 1339 and completed in year 1345 by the ruling Shogan Ashikaga Takauji in memory of Emperor Go-Daigo who was first his allies and later his enemy. The temple was built on the site of a 13th century Kameyama Imperial detached palace which was converted from the abandoned Danrin-yi Temple founded by the wife of Emperor Saga (786-842)in 9th century. The official name of the temple reads as Tenryu Shiseizen-ji.
Tenryu-in Temple holds the best symbol of Shakkei Japanese Garden (Gardens that integrate natural backgrounds into its layout). The gardens that survived through the centuries in its origin form, was created and built by the temple's first head priest Musa Soseki (1275-1351), who was also a great designer.
The Garden that embellished with Sogen Pond is the highlight of Temple grounds which no one would ever miss.
The landscaped garden features a central pond surrounded by rocks and pines is backed up by Arashiyama mountains.
The left picture is a prototype taken in its peak foliage season.
Sogen Pond is home to huge numbers of colorful carps.
The entire temple ground occupies a total land area of 330,000 sq. meter.
Pictures captured from the halls
Like a framed picture
Tenryu-in temple complex suffered 8 times of fires in its history and most of its original buildings were destroyed. Ohojo Hall was restored in year 1899 and Kohojo was rebuilt in year 1924. People seated at the Hojo veranda, relaxing and admiring the fantastic sight of the pond garden with mountains as a backdrop.
The Teaching Hall was unusually built at the center of Temple ground in 19th century. It enshrines an image of Gautama Buddha flanked by two Bodhisattva attendants. The famous decorative painting of a dragon known as Cloud Dragon is at the ceiling. The Hall of Taho-den was rebuilt in 1934 and it houses a wooden statue of Emperor Go-Daigo.
The carton images of Great Master Bhodhidharma Damo was placed in Shoin Drawing Hall. Master Damo was the Buddhist 28th Patriarch and first in China who lived within 5th to 6th century. He was the one who transmitted the Zen Buddhism to China and started the physical training for monks that gradually developed into the famous Shoalin Martial Art.
The pictures of cloud dragon at the ceiling of Teaching Hall and a dragon painting at the panels of the Tatami Room in Hojo Building. The temple was named as Tenryu (Dragon of the sky) as the brother of Shogun Takauji dream about a golden dragon flitting above Hozu River at the south of the temple site.
The lush green in garden
Explore its old garden through a wooden covered corridor.
Trace of old garden that survived from wars and fires.
Tenryu-in is the most visited temple in Arishiyama especially in spring and autumn period. The Temple grounds are crowded with hoards of visitors.
Like other halls at the grounds, the building of Kuri Kitchen and its distinctive little Tower are dated to recent period of Meiji (1868-1912)
The Momoyama style (1573-1615) one storey Chokushi Gate built in 19th century, was the oldest structure in Temple grounds.
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