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Coordinates: 35°20′5.97″N 139°33′5.24″E / 35.3349917°N 139.5514556°E / 35.3349917; 139.5514556
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{{Infobox Buddhist temple
{{Infobox religious building
| name = Fukugenzan Meigetsu-in
| name = Meigetsu-in<br>明月院
| img = Meigetsu-in Kamakura Round Window.jpg
| native_name =
| img_size =
| image = Meigetsu-in Kamakura Main-Hall.jpg
| img_capt = Meigetsu-in, Kita-kamakura
| image_size =
| landscape = Yes
| alt =
⚫
| caption = Main Hall
| denomination = [[Rinzai]], [[Kenchō-ji]] school
| founded = 1383
| map_type =
| closed =
| map_size =
| founder = Uesugi Norikata
| map_alt =
| teacher =
| map_caption =
| location = 189 [[Yamanouchi, Kamakura|Yamanouchi]], [[Kamakura]], [[Kanagawa Prefecture]]
| director =
| coordinates = {{coord|35|20|5.97|N|139|33|5.24|E|source:kolossus-jawiki|display=title,inline}}
⚫
| roshi =
| religious_affiliation = Kenchō-ji [[Rinzai]]
| abbot =
| priest =
| deity = [[Shō Kannon]] (Avalokiteśvara)
| rinpoche =
| country = Japan
| reverend =
| functional_status =
| address = 189 Yamanouchi, Kamakura, Kanagawa 247-0062
| website = None
| country = {{flagicon|Japan}} Japan
| founded_by = [[Uesugi Norikata]]
| phone = 0467-24-3437
| year_completed = {{start date and age|1394}}
| website = None
}}
}}
{{nihongo|'''Fugenzan Meigetsu-in'''|福源山明月院}} is a [[Rinzai]] [[Zen]] temple of the [[Kenchō-ji]] school in [[Kita-Kamakura]], [[Kanagawa]], [[Japan]]. Famous for its [[hydrangeas]], it's also known as ''The Temple of Hydrangeas'' (ajisai-dera). The main object of worship is goddess [[Shō Kannon]] (聖観音).
{{nihongo|'''Fugenzan Meigetsu-in'''|福源山明月院}} is a [[Rinzai]] [[Zen]] temple of the [[Kenchō-ji]] school in [[Kita-Kamakura]], [[Kanagawa]], [[Japan]]. Famous for its [[hydrangeas]], it's also known as ''The Temple of Hydrangeas'' (ajisai-dera). The main object of worship is goddess [[Shō Kannon]] (聖観音).


== History ==
== History ==
[[Image:Meigetuin01.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Meigetsu-in, Kita-Kamakura - The Yagura]]
[[Image:Meigetsuin Yagura2.jpg|thumb|right|The Yagura. Visible are the figures of the so-called 16 [[Arhat]]s]]


Meigetsu-in was built by Uesugi Norikata of the powerful [[Uesugi clan]], and the name itself derives from Norikata's own posthumous name (Meigetsu)<ref name="mutsu"/>. According to 350-year-old records it was originally just the guest rooms of a much bigger temple called {{nihongo|Zenkō-ji|禅興寺}}) which was closed by the government during the Meiji period<ref name="mutsu">Mutsu:1995:165)</ref>. Zenkō-ji was a temple of considerable prestige, being one of the Rinzai Zen temples classified as ({{nihongo|[[Five_Mountain_System#The_Jissetsu|Kantō Jissetsu]]|関東十刹}}, which were second in importance only to Kamakura's so-called [[Five Mountain System|Five Mountains]] ({{nihongo|Kamakura Gozan|鎌倉五山}}<ref name="mutsu"/>. Zenkō-ji however didn't survive the anti-Buddhist clampdown ([[Haibutsu kishaku]]) that followed the [[Meiji Restoration]]<ref name="mutsu"/>. Meigetsu-in is the owner of a famous 13th century statue of Uesugi Shigefusa, founder of the Uesugi clan<ref name="mutsu"/>. He is dressed in the picturesque clothes of the dignitaries of the Kamakura period<ref name="mutsu"/>. The statue is a National Treasure<ref name="mutsu"/>.
Meigetsu-in was built by Uesugi Norikata of the powerful [[Uesugi clan]], and the name itself derives from Norikata's own posthumous name (Meigetsu).<ref name="mutsu"/> According to 350-year-old records it was originally just the guest rooms of a much bigger temple called {{nihongo|Zenkō-ji|禅興寺}} which was closed by the government during the Meiji period.<ref name="mutsu">Mutsu:1995:165)</ref> Zenkō-ji was a temple of considerable prestige, being one of the Rinzai Zen temples classified as ({{nihongo|[[Five Mountain System#The Jissetsu|Kantō Jissetsu]]|関東十刹}}, which were second in importance only to Kamakura's so-called [[Five Mountain System|Five Mountains]] ({{nihongo|Kamakura Gozan|鎌倉五山}}.<ref name="mutsu"/> Zenkō-ji however didn't survive the anti-Buddhist clampdown ([[Haibutsu kishaku]]) that followed the [[Meiji Restoration]].<ref name="mutsu"/> Meigetsu-in is the owner of a famous 13th century statue of Uesugi Shigefusa, founder of the Uesugi clan.<ref name="mutsu"/> He is dressed in the picturesque clothes of the dignitaries of the Kamakura period.<ref name="mutsu"/> The statue is a [[National Treasures of Japan|National Treasure]].<ref name="mutsu"/>


== Points of interest ==
== Points of interest ==
[[Image:UESUGI SHIGEFUSA.JPG|250 px|thumb|Uesugi Shigefusa's statue, a National treasure]]
[[Image:UESUGI SHIGEFUSA.JPG|thumb|Uesugi Shigefusa's statue, a National Treasure]]
* The temple itself with its beautiful round window (see photo above)
* The temple itself with its beautiful round window (see photo below)
* The temple's garden contains one of the celebrated {{nihongo|Ten Wells of Kamakura|鎌倉十の井}}, the ''Kame no I'' (瓶の井)<ref name="mutsu"/>
* The temple's garden contains one of the celebrated {{nihongo|Ten Wells of Kamakura|鎌倉十の井}}, the ''Kame no I'' (瓶の井)<ref name="mutsu"/>
* The Karen Sansui, a garden of raked sand, rocks and plants representing legendary Buddhist Mount Shumi.
* The ''karesansui'', a garden of raked sand, rocks and plants representing legendary Buddhist Mount Shumi.
* The [[Yagura (tombs)|yagura]] cave dug on the side of a hill is the largest in Kamakura. The small tower at its center is thought to be Norikata's tomb<ref name="mutsu"/>
* The [[Yagura (tombs)|yagura]] cave dug on the side of a hill is the largest in Kamakura. The small tower at its center is thought to be Norikata's tomb<ref name="mutsu"/>
* [[Hōjō Tokiyori]]'s grave<ref name="mutsu"/>
* [[Hōjō Tokiyori]]'s grave<ref name="mutsu"/>
Line 38: Line 37:


== Getting there ==
== Getting there ==
[[Image:Meigetsu-in Kamakura Round Window.jpg|thumb|Satori no Mado (''Window of Enlightenment'')]]
* Get off at JR [[Yokosuka Line]]'s [[Kita-Kamakura Station]]. Walk about ten minutes towards Kamakura on the right side of the street following the signs. Meigetsu-in is on a side street to your right.
* Get off at JR [[Yokosuka Line]]'s [[Kita-Kamakura Station]]. Walk about ten minutes towards Kamakura on the left side of the train tracks following the signs. Meigetsu-in is on a side street to your left.
'''Meigetsu-in's Coordinates''': {{coord|35.3349|139.5515}}.<br />

'''Click on the coordinates to display more info.
== See also ==
'''
* For an explanation of terms concerning Japanese Buddhism, Japanese Buddhist art, and Japanese Buddhist temple architecture, see the [[Glossary of Japanese Buddhism]].


== Notes ==
== Notes ==
Line 47: Line 47:


== References ==
== References ==
⚫
{{Commons category|Meigetsuin}}
* {{cite book
* {{cite book
| last = [[Iso Mutsu|Mutsu]]
| last = Mutsu
| first = [[Iso Mutsu|Iso]]
| first = Iso
| coauthors =
| author-link = Iso Mutsu
| title = Kamakura. Fact and Legend
| title = Kamakura. Fact and Legend
| publisher = Tuttle Publishing
| publisher = Tuttle Publishing
| date = 1995/06
| date = June 1995
| location = Tokyo
| location = Tokyo
| language = English
| isbn = 0-8048-1968-8
| id = ISBN 0804819688
}}
}}
* [http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/~QM9T-KNDU/meigetu.htm Meigetsu-in], ''A guide to Kamakura'' accessed on March 29, 2008
* [http://www.kcn-net.org/e_kama_history/kitakamakura/kitakamakura_2.htm Kita Kamakura], ''Kamakura Citizen Network'' accessed on March 29, 2008
* [http://www.kcn-net.org/e_kama_history/kitakamakura/kitakamakura_2.htm Kita Kamakura], ''Kamakura Citizen Network'' accessed on March 29, 2008
* [http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%98%8E%E6%9C%88%E9%99%A2 明月院], Japanese Wikipedia accessed on March 29, 2008
* [[:ja:明月院|明月院]], Japanese Wikipedia accessed on March 29, 2008


== External links ==
⚫
[[Category:Buddhist temples in Kanagawa Prefecture]]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20161029114959/http://kamakuratrip.net/emeigetuin.html ''Kamakura Trip'' website] "Meigetsu-in Temple" page (in English)
⚫
[[Category:Kamakura, Kanagawa]]
⚫
[[Category:Rinzai temples| ]]
[[ja: 明月院]]


{{Buddhism topics}}
{{Buddhist temples in Japan}}
{{Authority control}}


⚫
[[Category:Buddhist temples in Kamakura, Kanagawa]]
⚫
{{Commonscat|Meigetsuin}}
⚫
[[Category:Kenchō-ji temples]]
⚫
[[Category:Rinzai temples| ]]

Latest revision as of 22:30, 22 June 2022

Meigetsu-in
明月院
Main Hall
Religion
AffiliationKenchō-ji Rinzai
DeityShō Kannon (Avalokiteśvara)
Location
Location189 Yamanouchi, Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture
CountryJapan
Geographic coordinates35°20′5.97″N 139°33′5.24″E / 35.3349917°N 139.5514556°E / 35.3349917; 139.5514556
Architecture
FounderUesugi Norikata
Completed1394; 630 years ago (1394)
Website
None

Fugenzan Meigetsu-in (福源山明月院) is a Rinzai Zen temple of the Kenchō-ji school in Kita-Kamakura, Kanagawa, Japan. Famous for its hydrangeas, it's also known as The Temple of Hydrangeas (ajisai-dera). The main object of worship is goddess Shō Kannon (聖観音).

History[edit]

The Yagura. Visible are the figures of the so-called 16 Arhats

Meigetsu-in was built by Uesugi Norikata of the powerful Uesugi clan, and the name itself derives from Norikata's own posthumous name (Meigetsu).[1] According to 350-year-old records it was originally just the guest rooms of a much bigger temple called Zenkō-ji (禅興寺) which was closed by the government during the Meiji period.[1] Zenkō-ji was a temple of considerable prestige, being one of the Rinzai Zen temples classified as (Kantō Jissetsu (関東十刹), which were second in importance only to Kamakura's so-called Five Mountains (Kamakura Gozan (鎌倉五山).[1] Zenkō-ji however didn't survive the anti-Buddhist clampdown (Haibutsu kishaku) that followed the Meiji Restoration.[1] Meigetsu-in is the owner of a famous 13th century statue of Uesugi Shigefusa, founder of the Uesugi clan.[1] He is dressed in the picturesque clothes of the dignitaries of the Kamakura period.[1] The statue is a National Treasure.[1]

Points of interest[edit]

Uesugi Shigefusa's statue, a National Treasure
  • The temple itself with its beautiful round window (see photo below)
  • The temple's garden contains one of the celebrated Ten Wells of Kamakura (鎌倉十の井), the Kame no I (瓶の井)[1]
  • The karesansui, a garden of raked sand, rocks and plants representing legendary Buddhist Mount Shumi.
  • The yagura cave dug on the side of a hill is the largest in Kamakura. The small tower at its center is thought to be Norikata's tomb[1]
  • Hōjō Tokiyori's grave[1]
  • The hydrangeas in the garden. The flowers, however famous, are apparently just a recent addition. They were reportedly chosen because of the ease with which they grow.

Getting there[edit]

Satori no Mado (Window of Enlightenment)
  • Get off at JR Yokosuka Line's Kita-Kamakura Station. Walk about ten minutes towards Kamakura on the left side of the train tracks following the signs. Meigetsu-in is on a side street to your left.

See also[edit]

  • For an explanation of terms concerning Japanese Buddhism, Japanese Buddhist art, and Japanese Buddhist temple architecture, see the Glossary of Japanese Buddhism.

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Mutsu:1995:165)

References[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Meigetsuin.
  • Mutsu, Iso (June 1995). Kamakura. Fact and Legend. Tokyo: Tuttle Publishing. ISBN 0-8048-1968-8.
  • Kita Kamakura, Kamakura Citizen Network accessed on March 29, 2008
  • 明月院, Japanese Wikipedia accessed on March 29, 2008

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Meigetsu-in&oldid=1094486551"