TOJI- IN

April 10, 2008

by Ayaka Okochi

TOJI-IN TEMPLE

Ashikaga Takauji built Toji-in, a Rinzai Zen temple, in 1341 at the southern foot of  Mt. Kinugasa. He asked Muso Soseki, who was a famous gardener as well as the founder of Tenryuji Temple, to make the garden. Toji-in is affiliated with the Tenryuji sect.

Points of Interest

• The painting of Daruma

  Visitors to the temple can see this famous painting near the entrance. Daruma
  is credited with bringing Buddhism from India to China and founding the Zen sect
  of Buddhism. So his image is often seen in Zen temples. Another image of him can be
  seen at Tenryuji Temple in Arashiyama. He can easily be recognized by his big eyes and round head.

  

• The Garden

  This garden made by Muso Soseki consists of two parts. The easten section
  of the garden is called “shinji-chi,” and the western section is called “fuyo-chi.”
  Shinji- chi consists of gentle scenery that has depth, while fuyo-chi features
  many flowers and arranged stones. The pond is in the shape of the Chinese character
  for “mind,” kokoro, (心), so it is called “shinji-chi.”

• Reiko-den

  

  Shinji-chi

  

  Fuyo-chi

Reiko-den http://www.kadode.com/toujiin.htm

There are fifteen wooden statues of the Ashikaga Shoguns, from Ashikaga Takauji
to Ashikaga Yoshiaki, enshrined in this building. Images of Daruma and Muso Soseki flank
the central image of Jizo Bodhisattva. The Ashikaga family statues are enshrined on the right and
left sides of the Reiko-den. Each character seems to speak about the world of
the Muromachi period to those visitors who are quiet.

• Location and Cost

  Toji-in is located south of Ritsumeikan University, about 5 minutes on foot from Toji-in Station
  on the Keifuku Kitano Line.
  Entry fee is 500 yen.

References

• Tojiin Temple brochure
• http://kyoto.jr-central.co.jp/kyoto.nsf/spot/sp_toujiin
• http://www.kadode.com./toujiin.htm