Photo Gallery
Nishi-Hongan-ji Temple - 西本願寺 (built 1272 onward)
Nishi Hongan-ji temple is the headquarters of the Honganji School of the Jodo-Shin sect of Buddhism. Founded in 1272 by the daughter of the sect's organizer, Shinran, the temple contains a wealth of cultural treasures, including one of the oldest Noh drama stages in Japan. Considered one of the finest examples of Momoyama style architecture in Kyoto, Nishi spralls over several acres of courtyards and gardens.
In 1602 the Shogun Ieyesu Togukawa granted permission to a former abbot to build a new branch of the temple, which became Higashi Hongaji. The establishment of rival headquarters led to a schism in the faith and weakened its political influence, as the Shogun intended.
Bibliography:
All images copyright 1998 Abraham Ahn and Timothy M. Ciccone
Bring, Mitchell & Josse Wayembergh. Japanese Gardens, Design and Meaning.
McGraw-Hillbook company, 1981. New York
Mosher, Gouverneur. Kyoto: A Contemplative Guide
Charles E. Tuttle Co., 1986. Rutland, Vermont
Nishi, Kazuo and Kazuo Hozumi. What is Japanese Architecture?
Kodansha International, 1983. Tokyo and New York
Nitschke, Gunter & Benedikt Taschen. The Architecture of the Japanese Garden.
Benedikt Taschen Verlag GmbH, 1991. Germany
Schaarschmidt-Richter, Irmtraud & Osamu Mori. Japanese Gardens.
William Morrow and Company, Inc., 1979. New York and Tokyo
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