Gangyō-ji

Gankei-ji
元慶寺
Gankei-ji Hondo
Religion
AffiliationBuddhist
DeityTokudo Shonin
RiteYakushi Nyorai
Statusfunctional
Location
Location13 Kitakazan Kawaramachi, Yamashina-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto-fu
Shown within Kyoto Prefecture
Gangyō-ji (Japan)
Coordinates34°59′19.1″N 135°48′04.2″E / 34.988639°N 135.801167°E / 34.988639; 135.801167
Architecture
FounderHenjō
Completed868
Website
Official website

Gankei-ji (元慶寺) is a Buddhist temple located in the Kitakazan Kawaramachi, neighborhood of Yamashina-ku, Kyoto, Japan. It belongs to the Tendai sect of Japanese Buddhism and its honzon is a statue of Yakushi Nyorai. It is more commonly known throughout its history as "Gangyō-ji" from an alternative transliteration of the kanji in its name. The temple's full name is Kazan-yama Gankei-ji (華頂山 元慶寺). The temple is a "bangai" temple located between the 14th and 15th stops on the Saigoku Kannon Pilgrimage route.[1] [2] [3] [4]

Overview

Gangyō-ji was constructed in 868 as a jōgakuji (private temple which had been accorded official status) at the request of Fujiwara no Takako, the mother of Emperor Yōzei. The founding monk was Henjō, one of the Six Immortal Poets. In 877 (the first year of the Gangyō era), it became an official temple at the request of Emperor Yōzei, and changed its name to reflect the nengō. In 986, Emperor Kazan was forced to become a monk at this temple through a scheme by Fujiwara no Kaneie and his son Fujiwara no Michikane, and Kaneie's grandson, Prince Kanehito (Emperor Ichijō), ascended to the throne. As Emperor Kazan was tonsured at this temple, it became popular known as "Kazan-ji" (花山寺), and is referred by this name in the Ōkagami. Because of its ties to Emperor Kazan, the temple is listed as an extra temple on the pilgrimage to the Saigoku Pilgrimage.[5]

The temple was destroyed by fire during the Ōnin War, and the grounds have since shrunk. The current Main Hall was rebuilt during the An'ei era (1772-1781).

The temple is approximately a 20 minute walk from Misasagi Station on the Kyoto Municipal Subway Tōzai Line.

References

  1. ^ Kodansha editorial staff (2008). 西国三十三所札所会. Kodansha. ISBN 978-4062147477.
  2. ^ Tetsutaro Gosou (2017). 西国巡礼ー三十三所の歴史と現代の意義. Denki Joho-sha. ISBN 4924513105.
  3. ^ Akira Nagata (2015). 西国三十三所めぐり. JTB Publishing. ISBN 4533107222.
  4. ^ Saikoku Fuda-sho Association (1987). 西国三十三所観音巡礼: 法話と札所案内. Toki Shobo. ISBN 4886020909.
  5. ^ Ponsonby-Fane, R. (1959). Kyoto: the old Capital of Japan, 794-1869, pp. 113-114.

Media related to Gankei-ji at Wikimedia Commons