Yoshimine-dera Temple (善峯寺)
Yoshimine-dera Temple is a Buddhist temple located in Nishikyo-ku Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture. Its honorific mountain prefix is Nishiyama. It is the 20th of the 33 temples that are visited during the Kansai Kannon Pilgrimage. Yoshimine Kannon school (independent temple of Tendai Sect). In addition to being famous for its cherry blossoms and autumn leaves, a panoramic view of the city of Kyoto and Mt. Hiei can be seen from various places in the temple precinct.
Origin and History
Yoshimine-dera Temple was founded in 1029 by Genzan. It was later granted the name 'Yoshimine-dera' (良峯寺) by Emperor Goichijo in 1034. Jien resided in the temple in the early Kamakura period and at this time, the temple name was changed its first chinese character from 良 to 善 after receiving a temple name tablet written by Emperor Go-Toba himself. It came to be known as 'Nishiyama Monzeki' as many Monzeki (Imperial Princes in holy orders) entered the Yoshimine-dera Temple from Shorenin Temple. The buildings of the temple complex were lost after becoming embroiled in the Onin War but they were later rebuilt during the Edo period using funds donated by Keishoin.
Cultural Properties
Important Cultural Properties
Tahoto pagoda
It was constructed in 1621 by Kenko.
Portrait of Atavaka, Color painting on silk
Natural Monument
Yuryu-no-matsu (lit. playing dragon pine-tree)
This Japanese white pine is approximately 600 years old and was given its name due to its trunk that grows as if it is crawling horizontally.
It once measured 54 meters in length but a 15 meter section was removed in 1994 due to damage by pine weevils.
Neighboring Pilgrimage Sites
The 33 temples that are visited during the Kansai Kannon Pilgrimage
20. Yoshimine-dera Temple; 21. Anao-ji Temple; 22. Soji-ji Temple (Ibaraki City)