| Nishi
Honganji Temple (1272 AD onward)
other
sites in Kyoto |
Kyoto, Japan |
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Nishi Honganji 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 1998-2001 Abe Ahn and Tim Ciccone
Written material from signposts and http://www.city.kyoto.jp/