Chion-in Temple is the head temple of the Jodo sect, founded by Honen.
Tokugawa Ieyasu was also a member of the Jodo sect, so this temple has a slightly Tokugawa flavor.
The location is about an 8-minute walk from Higashiyama Station and a 15-minute walk from Gion-Shijo.
It is a very famous temple, but since it is a bit far from the station, there are surprisingly few people.
It is a temple for history buffs, though, with its Jodo sect, Honen, and Tokugawa Ieyasu,
But this time, rather than that, let me explain the “Seven Wonders of Chion-in”.
Seven Wonders #1: The Yingge-lined Corridor
When you walk down the corridor, you will hear a squeaking sound.
This is the famous Uguisubari in Nijo Castle. When you step on it, you can hear the sound of “ho (ho) hear yo (hokekyo)”.
It doesn’t actually sound like that, lol. It’s a bit unreasonable.
But it does sound like “kekyo kekyo,” so it’s just about right.
It certainly sounds like birds chirping, which is fun to walk on.
I know that the floorboards and iron nails are vibrating and ringing, but I wonder why they make such a sound.
I wonder if Tokugawa Ieyasu, who built Nijo Castle, imitated Chion-in Temple.
I think Nijo Castle was meant to be recognizable even if an invading ninja walked stealthily.
The power of application is amazing!
Seven Wonders #2: White Wooden Coffins
There are two white wooden coffins on top of the Sanmon Tower, which was erected by order of the second shogun, Tokugawa Hidetada.
They are wooden coffins made by Gomi Kin’emon and his wife, who were commissioned to build the temple’s three gates.
Mr. Gomi, who was entrusted with the construction of the temple, was so determined to make the best Sanmon that he made a statue of himself.
However, the budget exceeded his expectations, and he committed suicide.
To mourn his soul, the statue is enshrined on the top of the gate.
Well, I am not sure if this is strange or not.
In any case, it is so well done that it is one of the “Three Great Gates of Kyoto,
Gomi did his best.
Seven Wonders #3: The Forgotten Umbrella
An umbrella with only a skeleton hangs behind the eaves of the Mieido, which is currently under construction.
It is said that the genius carpenter of the time, Hidari Jingoro, left it there to ward off evil spirits,
When the Mieido was being built, a white fox appeared at the temple and said, “I have no place to live, so I want you to build me a place to live.
The umbrella is associated with rain, so it is said to be a good omen to ward off fires and evil spirits.
Incidentally, I often forget my umbrella on trains and in buildings.
Maybe it is a good omen to ward off fires.
Seven Wonders #4: The Sparrow That Slips Away
Originally, sparrows were painted on the fusuma (sliding door) of the Daihojo painted by Nobumasa Kano,
The sparrows were so well painted that they came to life and flew away. LOL.
I’ve heard this kind of episode a little bit, but it’s kind of fun, like a gag.
Because there is no sparrow. You say it, and you win.
It’s like a joke by Ikkyu-san.
Seven Wonders No. 5: A cat facing straight ahead on three sides.
This painting by Nobumasa Kano, which appears to be looking at us from all angles, ranks among the Seven Wonders.
This kind of trick art is also quite common.
The same is true of the carp by Okyo in Bishamondo.
Seven Wonders Part VI: The Great Ladle
A large ladle placed on a beam in the corridor of the Daihojo.
Legend has it that Miyoshi Seikai Nyudo served rice to the soldiers during the Osaka Summer Battle.
Seven Wonders Part 7: Uryu-ishi (Uryu Stone)
The Uryu-ishi (Uryu Stone) is located near the Kuromon Gate.
It is said that a gourd grew even though no one remembers planting it, or that Ushitenno of Yasaka Shrine appeared and the gourd grew instantly,
Uryu-ishi is said to have been planted by no one, and yet it produced gourds in the blink of an eye.
And if you dig up the stone, you will find a hidden passageway to Nijo Castle, or even the remains of a meteorite,
The stone seems to be a story without roots or leaves.
And well, the Seven Wonders of Chion-in Temple, which itself is somewhat of a mystery.
Some of them are not so bad, so I guess they wanted to make it seven somehow.
Still, it is fun to search for the Seven Wonders with kids.
Chion-in Temple
400 Hayashi-shita-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto
075-531-2111
