Gio-ji Temple πΈπΏ(1)
Gio-ji Temple is a Buddhist temple of the Daikakuji school of the Shingon sect located in Ukyo Ward, Kyoto City. πΊπΏπ The mountain name is Takamatsu Mountain, and the temple enshrines the main image of Dainichi Nyorai (the Great Sun Buddha). It also houses statues of Gio, a court dancer who became a nun, πΊπΏπ and four nuns including her sister and mother, who were associated with Taira no Kiyomori. This temple is widely known for the story of Gio, a Shirabyoshi (court dancer) featured in "The Tale of the Heike" (Heike Monogatari). πΊπΏπ Gio and her sister Gijo were "Shirabyoshi," female performers who dressed as men, chanting popular songs, clapping wooden tablets, and dancing to the rhythm, hence the name. πΊπΏπ During that time, Taira no Kiyomori held immense power, and Gio, his favored dancer, lived a life of luxury with her sister and mother. πΊπΏπ However, after three years, the emergence of another Shirabyoshi, Hotoke Gozen, led Kiyomori's affections elsewhere, and Gio was abandoned. πΊπΏπ Heartbroken, Gio, along with her sister and mother, decided to become nuns and entered Gio-ji Temple. Hotoke Gozen, realizing her fate, also became a nun and practiced asceticism with Gio and the others for their next life. πΊπΏπ #KyotoTravel πΈ #Arashiyama π
