Kakurin-ji (Kakogawa)

Main hall

Taishidō

Shotoku with companions

The Totasan Kakurin-ji ( Japanese 刀田山鶴林寺 ), as it is called in detail, is a temple of the Tendai School in Kakogawa , Hyogo Prefecture , Japan . It was founded by Prince Shōtoku in 589.

history

In the middle of the 6th century, the Korean monk Eben ( 恵便 , Korean: Hyebyeon ) came to Japan. On the run from the anti-Buddhist Mononobes he sought refuge in this area. Shōtoku Taishi, then 7 years old, went to Eben to hear his teachings. At the age of 16 Shōtoku built a hall of faith here, the forerunner of today's extensive temple complex. With the resurgence of Shōtoku worship between the 12th and 16th centuries, the complex grew until, in the following years, Oda Nobunaga and the Tokugawa Shogunate severely restricted activities without bringing them to a standstill.

The individual buildings

( ⦿ = national treasure , ◎ = important cultural asset of Japan )

⦿ Taishidō ( 太子堂 ), 1112. It is the oldest building in the prefecture.
⦿ The main hall ( 本堂 ), dated to 1397 according to a marking in the entablature. The building is a good example of a mixed style : Zen architecture with old Japanese style elements.
◎ Jōgyōdō ( 常行堂 ), Heian period .
◎ Gyōjadō ( 行者堂 ), 1406.
◎ Bell tower ( 鐘楼 ), 1407.
◎ Gomadō ( 護摩堂 ), 1563.
Pagoda ( 三十塔 ), Muromachi period .
Temple gate ( 仁王門 ), Niō gate as Rōmon , 1672.
Kannondō ( 観音堂 ), 1705.
Shin-Yakushidō ( 新薬師堂 )

Temple treasures (selection of important cultural assets )

Sculptures and objects

Holy Kannon ( 聖観音 ), bronze, Hakuhō period. The Kannon is said to have shouted a-itata (it hurts!) When trying to rob her, whereupon the robbers left her standing.

Eleven-faced Kannon ( 十一面観音 ), wood, Early Heian period.

Figure group in the Taishidō: Shaka ( 釈迦 ) with Monju ( 文殊 ) and Fugen ( 普賢 ) and the Four Kings of Heaven ( 四天王 ).