Shoden-ji Temple (正伝寺)
Shoden-ji Temple is a Buddhist temple belonging to the Nanzen-ji School of the Rinzai Sect located in Nishigamo, Kita-ku Ward, Kyoto City. The sango (literally, mountain name), which is the title prefixed to the name of a Buddhist temple is Kisshozan (Mt. Kissho). It is formally named Shoden Gokoku-zenji Temple. The principal image is Shaka Nyorai (Shakyamuni).
History
Shoden-ji Temple is believed to have originated with a temple founded in 1268 by Gottan Funei, a disciple of Togan Ean, in Karasuma Imadegawa before being relocated to its current site in 1282 with the assistance of Tsunehisa MORI of Kamo-sha Shrine, then the temple became prosperous. The temple received the devotion of the imperial family and shogun families during the Muromachi period but fell into decline as a result of a fire that started during the Onin War (1467-1477). It was restored with the help of Hideyoshi TOYOTOMI and Ieyasu TOKUGAWA, and possessed five sub-temples during the Edo period. The dry landscape garden in front of the main hall is attributed to Enshu KOBORI.
Cultural Properties
Important Cultural Properties
Main hall (hojo)
Color on silk portrait of Gottan Funei, painted by Seitan (with own praise)
Color on silk portrait of Gottan Funei, with own praise
Wall and sliding screen paintings in the main hojo (abbot's quarters)
58 ink and light color on paper landscape paintings (inner room, first upper room, second upper room, lower second room)
Tsuketari (attachments, appurtenances): 3 color on paper flower paintings (Buddha room), 4 color painting on gold-foil paper paintings of confectionary (staggered shelves in the lower first room)
Prayer for the surrender of Mongolia written by Priest Togen
Sensei Senken Seido Ittetsugi (literally, adamant teachings of ancient sages), written by Togan Ean
Chokusho (official document issued by Emperor) of giving a name of Priest Togan
Kujo-kesa (nine-strip Buddhist surplice which is in the shape of a large rectangle, wrapped around the left side of the body and tied with the loops in the corners) (Checked torimaru motif (literally, bird motif arranged in round shape) in yellow cloth for Denso (grid pattern kesa (Buddhist surplice) designed from shape of rice fields and azemichi (a path between rice fields)), sha (silk gauze) with peony motif in white cloth for Joyo (leaves (pieces) of Jo (part of kesa)); Tsuketari: Kesa-zutsumi (kesa bag) of Saiwaibishi mon (auspicious diamond pattern) in white aya (figured cloth) cloth
Kujo-kesa (Sha with white peony motif in white cloth for Denso, sha with peony motif in dark blue cloth for Joyo); Tsuketari: Kesa-zutsumi of Hana Karakusa mon (flower arabesque pattern) in yellow nishiki (brocade) cloth
Address
72 Kitachinjuan-cho, Nishigamo, Kita-ku Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture