Hosen-in — Attraction in Kyoto

“Hosen-in Temple”

Hosen-in Temple is a temple of the Tendaishu sect located north of the hchuaf Sanzen-in in Ohara, Kyoto. The temple was built in 1012 as a temple of Shorin-in. There are two gardens in the temple grounds. The first garden is Bankanen; From the room, looking through the gap between the pillars can clearly see the bamboo grove and Ohara village on the opposite side, and that image is like capturing the landscape in a picture frame so this garden is also called is "Gakubuchi" (picture frame). The second garden is Tsurukameteien - built in the middle of the Edo period; this is a famous garden with a lake shaped like a crane, a mountain simulating the shape of a tortoise, seeing the ancient garden of gardenia as the scene of Horaisan mountain (Bong Lai mountain); This wonderful view can be enjoyed through the fox window. In addition, in this garden, there are over 300 years old luxuriant Sala trees.

In addition, the Chitenjo (blood ceiling) relocated from Fushimi Castle in Genkoan is also a highlight of Hosen-ji Temple (there is also a "blood ceiling" at Genko-an Temple in Takagamine). These are the floor tiles at Fushimi Castle - which was once soaked with the blood of hundreds of martial artists under Torii Mototada - a close loyalist of Tokugawa, who fought with Mitsunari Ishida's army and committed suicide here. In order for the souls who died in the fierce battle that year to rest in peace, floor tiles in Fushimi Castle were used as ceilings in five temples, including Hosen-ji Temple. Today, when we look at the ceiling that still has these bloodstains, we will understand how fierce the war in the warring States period was. In addition, at Hosen-ji Temple, there is another point not to be missed, which is a 700-year-old Japanese white pine tree shaped in the shape of Mount Omifuji (Mount Fuji of the...

What is worth dying for? As you walk past tranquil rock gardens & enter the tea room under the shade of the Mount Fuji shaped pine tree you notice the ceiling wood’s beautiful coloring stained by a great sacrifice. A bloody footprint here… The death mask print of a warrior long gone there... For over 400 years ago the Lord Samurai Tototado and 370 of his samurai defended Fushumi castle in Kyoto from a great siege by opposition forces. Vastly outnumbered Tototado’s samurai held the castle for 11 days of bloody combat. With nothing left to give the Samurai finally ritually commuted sepukku on the 11th day. With their lives forfeit they would not become hostages or trading pieces. What did they die for? Everything. They held off a greater forces & gave their lord Tokugawa Ieyasu the time needed to rally his forces for the decisive battle. Which they won. Ushering in 200 years of a continuous peace. The blood stained floor boards of Fushimi castle during now peaceful time were used at three separate temples one of which you are now reading about here. Not as flooring beneath ones feet but as ceilings. To keep above one’s head. Top of the mind. To not forget. To honor. So think of this as you drink your freshly ground tea and enjoy your sweet snack. The sacrifices that shape battles. The battles that shake history. The actions that echo on...

I came here for the special fall light up. The temple is very small but the garden is very beautiful. This is very for from downtown Kyoto. I don’t think you should spend the time, money, or energy to come here and instead do the illuminations closer to downtown. The fee to enter was ¥800 which was quite expensive for how small it is. The handwritten goshuin was also ¥800 which is very very expensive. They are normally ¥300. This was not a special edition nor a 2 page one. It felt very expensive and not worth it...