{"id":214,"date":"2015-03-14T11:42:39","date_gmt":"2015-03-14T02:42:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.koyasan.or.jp\/jinai\/"},"modified":"2021-06-14T09:18:20","modified_gmt":"2021-06-14T00:18:20","slug":"jinai.html","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.koyasan.or.jp\/en\/jinai.html","title":{"rendered":"Temple Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><main role=\"main\"><\/p>\n<ul id=\"gNav2\">\n<li><a href=\"..\/kongobuji\/\">What is Kongobuji Temple?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"..\/kongobuji\/#issankeidaiti\">What is the Issan Temple Grounds?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"..\/kongobuji\/#zasu\">To Everyone, From the Chief Abbot<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"..\/kongobuji\/jinai.html\">Temple Guide<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"..\/kongobuji\/event.html\">Annual Events<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<section id=\"jinaiKongobuji\">\n<div class=\"ttlBox\">\n<h1 class=\"mainTtl\">Temple Guide<\/h1>\n<p class=\"img\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"..\/..\/images\/kongobuji\/jinai_ttl_bg.jpg\" alt=\"Temple Guide\"><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"zasuLinkBox\">\n<table class=\"pageLinkBlock\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><a href=\"#seimon\">Main Gate<\/a><\/td>\n<td><a href=\"#tensuioke\">Rain Barrel<\/a><\/td>\n<td><a href=\"#kyouzou\">Scripture Storehouse<\/a><\/td>\n<td><a href=\"#syourou\">Bell Tower<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><a href=\"#oogenkan_kogenkan\">Large Entrance and Small Entrance<\/a><\/td>\n<td><a href=\"#oohiroma_jibutuma\">Main Hall and Jibutsuma<\/a><\/td>\n<td><a href=\"#umenoma\">Umenoma<\/a><\/td>\n<td><a href=\"#yanaginoma\">Yanaginoma<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><a href=\"#betsuden\">Temple Annex<\/a><\/td>\n<td><a href=\"#shinbetsuden\">New Temple Annex<\/a><\/td>\n<td><a href=\"#banryutei\">Banryutei Rock Garden<\/a><\/td>\n<td><a href=\"#okuden\">Okuden<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><a href=\"#shinsyoin_shinsyouan\">Shin Shoin and Shin Shoan<\/a><\/td>\n<td><a href=\"#ajikandojo\">Ajikan Dojo<\/a><\/td>\n<td><a href=\"#syoinjoudannoma\">Shoin Jodan no Ma<\/a><\/td>\n<td><a href=\"#nakaniwa\">Courtyard<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><a href=\"#okushoin\">Oku Shoin<\/a><\/td>\n<td><a href=\"#chigonoma\">Chigo no Ma<\/a><\/td>\n<td><a href=\"#tsuchimuro\">Tsuchimuro<\/a><\/td>\n<td><a href=\"#daidokoro\">Kitchen<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<section id=\"seimon\" class=\"module\">\n<div class=\"img\">\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"..\/..\/images\/kongobuji\/jinai_seimon.jpg\" width=\"1208\" height=\"466\" alt=\"Main Gate\">\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"inner\">\n<div class=\"txtBox\">\n<h2 class=\"mainTtl\">Main Gate<span class=\"kana\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<div class=\"txt\">\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A charismatic founder, K\u016bkai (774-835), posthumously named Kobo Daishi, studied esoteric Buddhism in China and established the temple complex on Koyasan in 816. Kongobuji Temple is a headquarter of the Shingon sect of Esoteric Buddhism. <br \/>\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;At the main entrance of Kongobuji Temple, you will find paper lanterns with two different crests. On the right is \u201cthree commas\u201d insignia, which is the crest of Nyutsuhime Shrine whose Shinto deities are the guardians of Koyasan.<br \/>\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;On the left is the paulownia flower insignia, which is the crest of the Toyotomi clan lead by a samurai ruler, Toyotomi Hideyoshi. A unifier of Japan, Toyotomi Hideyoshi in they late 16thcentury had prepared to attack and destroy Koyasan, but a Buddhist monk named Ogo, also known as Mokujiki Shonin (Wood eating saint) helped to negotiate the safety and existence of Koyasan.<br \/>\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Instead, Hideyoshi,  let Mokujiki build Kozanji Temple in this precinct. Additionally, at the site of the present main temple, he built Seiganji Temple in memory of the spirit of his beloved mother in 1593.<br \/>\nSince then, two temples had existed here until 1869. One year after the Meiji Restoration when the government drastically changed, the two temples were consolidated into one and renamed Kongobuji Temple. The main temple you see today was rebuilt in 1863 after several fires.<br \/>\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;To remember the connection with Toyotomi Hideyoshi, Kongobuji Temple has used the crest of Toyotomi Family as its own temple crest together with the other one. The crests must have witnessed many ups and downs of the temple\u2019s history.<br \/>\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The current main gate was rebuilt in 1862. In old times, the use of the main gate was limited to the emperors, members of the royal family and the chief priests of Koyasan. Ordinary monks and general visitors used the side gate on the right, or they used the another gate, named\u201d Eka Mon\u201d, located in the east of the temple. This is just one of many examples of traditional strict rules existed in Koyasan. <br \/>\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The gate is photogenic with the weeping cherry blossom in spring, the rhododendron in early summer, the Japanese maple in autumn, and the pure white snow in winter.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"tensuioke\" class=\"module\">\n<div class=\"img\">\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"..\/..\/images\/kongobuji\/jinai_tensuioke.jpg\" width=\"1208\" height=\"466\" alt=\"Tensuioke (Rain Barrel)\">\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"inner\">\n<div class=\"txtBox\">\n<h2 class=\"mainTtl\">Tensuioke (Rain Barrel)<span class=\"kana\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<div class=\"txt\">\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The roof of Kongobuji Temple has barrels, which is unique to this temple. They are rain barrels against fire hazards called \u201cTensuioke\u201d. The rainwater accumulated in the barrels were used to dampen the roof in case of fire. The\u201dTensuioke\u201d will let you imagine the efforts of ancient monks hurriedly climbing up the roof and sprinkling the rain water to protect the temple against flying sparks.<br \/>\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The roofs are made using a roofing technique called \u201cHiwadabuki.\u201d It is a traditional Japanese roofing style of laying countless number of cypress bark pieces and nailing each shingle with bamboo nails. They are laid and fixed each other precisely with a 1-2 cm overlap. Because of this roofing technique the graceful curve of the roof is possible.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"kyouzou\" class=\"module\">\n<div class=\"img\">\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"..\/..\/images\/kongobuji\/jinai_kyouzou.jpg\" width=\"1208\" height=\"466\" alt=\"Kyozo (Scripture Storehouse)\">\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"inner\">\n<div class=\"txtBox\">\n<h2 class=\"mainTtl\">Kyozo (Scripture Storehouse)<span class=\"kana\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<div class=\"txt\">\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A structure with a raised floor is a \u201ckyozo\u201d, a repository for sutras. \u201cKyozo\u201d, in Japanese Buddhist architecture, is supposed to be built separately from the main building so that it can save important documents, chronicles of the temple, sutras and ritual objects in the case of the outbreak of fire. This \u201cKyozo\u201d is said to be constructed in 1679 by the donation of a merchant in Osaka. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"syourou\" class=\"moduleHalf\">\n<div class=\"img\">\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"..\/..\/images\/kongobuji\/jinai_syourou.jpg\" width=\"604\" height=\"604\" alt=\"Shoro (Bell Tower)\">\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"inner\">\n<div class=\"txtBox\">\n<h2 class=\"mainTtl\">Shoro (Bell Tower)<span class=\"kana\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<div class=\"txt\">\n<p>\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A two-storied trapezoidal building is \u201cShoro\u201d, a bell tower, presumably being rebuilt in 1864. Although the bell cannot be seen from outside, an old bell is suspended in the upper story. <br \/>\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;This bell tower is designated as a prefectural cultural property because of its old beautiful \u201cHakamagoshi\u201d gabled roof style. The traditional Japanese architectural term \u201cHakamagoshi\u201d derives from the lower part of a structure expanding wider like \u201chakama\u201d, loose trousers worn over a kimono as a part of traditional Japanese formal dress. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"oogenkan_kogenkan\" class=\"module\">\n<div class=\"img\">\n<ul class=\"halfPh\">\n<li><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"..\/..\/images\/kongobuji\/jinai_oogenkan_kogenkan01.jpg\" width=\"604\" height=\"466\" alt=\"Daigenkan\">\n<div class=\"caption\">Daigenkan<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"..\/..\/images\/kongobuji\/jinai_oogenkan_kogenkan02.jpg\" width=\"604\" height=\"466\" alt=\"Kogenkan\">\n<div class=\"caption\">Kogenkan<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"inner\">\n<div class=\"txtBox\">\n<h2 class=\"mainTtl\">Multiple Entrances<span class=\"kana\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<div class=\"txt\">\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The temple remains Kongobuji Temple\u2019s traditional way of using entrances. The big entrance has been used for the Emperor, the imperial family, and Koyasan\u2019s chief priests and officials. The smaller one was used by high priests and general priests. Gates symbolized authority and power in the old Japan.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"oohiroma_jibutuma\" class=\"module\">\n<div class=\"img\">\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"..\/..\/images\/kongobuji\/jinai_oohiroma_jibutuma.jpg\" width=\"1208\" height=\"466\" alt=\"Ohiroma and Jibutsuma\">\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"inner\">\n<div class=\"txtBox\">\n<h2 class=\"mainTtl\">Main Hall and Alter Room<span class=\"kana\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<div class=\"txt\">\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Main Hall is a place for holding important ceremonies such as \u201cHana Matsuri\u201d, Shakamuni Buddha\u2019s Birthday celebration and Buddhist memorial services such as \u201cJoraku-E\u201d, memorial service for the Shakamuni Buddha entering Nirvana.<br \/>\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Altar Room enshrines the founder of Koyasan, Kukai (Kobo Daishi), and on both sides are displayed the mortuary tablets for successive generations of Emperors of Japan as well as mortuary tablets for successive generations of Koyasan\u2019s chief abbots. <br \/>\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Koyasan received patronage and visits from the feudal lords, the nobility and the Imperial court. One of the highlights of this temple is beautiful paintings on sliding doors. Although the main building was destroyed by fires several times, the paintings donated by those who visited Koyasan have survived the fires over the centuries . The painting in this room,\u201cFlocks of Cranes and Pine Trees\u201d was presumably painted by Saito Toshitsu in 17th century.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<ul class=\"thumbList\">\n<li><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"..\/..\/images\/kongobuji\/jinai_oohiroma_jibutuma_thumb01.jpg\" width=\"240\" height=\"180\" alt=\"\"><\/li>\n<li><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"..\/..\/images\/kongobuji\/jinai_oohiroma_jibutuma_thumb02.jpg\" width=\"240\" height=\"180\" alt=\"\"><\/li>\n<li><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"..\/..\/images\/kongobuji\/jinai_oohiroma_jibutuma_thumb03.jpg\" width=\"240\" height=\"180\" alt=\"\"><\/li>\n<li><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"..\/..\/images\/kongobuji\/jinai_oohiroma_jibutuma_thumb04.jpg\" width=\"240\" height=\"180\" alt=\"\"><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"umenoma\" class=\"module\">\n<div class=\"img\">\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"..\/..\/images\/kongobuji\/jinai_umenoma.jpg\" width=\"1208\" height=\"466\" alt=\"Umenoma (Plum Room)\">\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"inner\">\n<div class=\"txtBox\">\n<h2 class=\"mainTtl\">Umenoma (Plum Room)<span class=\"kana\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<div class=\"txt\">\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Due to the painting of Plum, this room is called \u201cPlum Room.\u201d The painting \u201cPlum, Moon, and Stream\u201d was  painted by the great genius of Kano School, Kano Tanyu (1602-1674)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"yanaginoma\" class=\"module\">\n<div class=\"img\">\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"..\/..\/images\/kongobuji\/jinai_yanaginoma.jpg\" width=\"1208\" height=\"466\" alt=\"Yanaginoma (Willow Room)\">\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"inner\">\n<div class=\"txtBox\">\n<h2 class=\"mainTtl\">Yanaginoma (Willow Room)<span class=\"kana\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<div class=\"txt\">\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Because of the painting, \u201cWillow Tree and Heron \u201cpainted by Yamamoto Tansai, this room is named \u201cWillow Room. \u201c<br \/>\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Most Japanese people cannot pass by the \u201cWillow Room\u201d without a shred of interest. This is the site where Toyotomi Hidetsugu, (1568~1595) second generation Kampaku (chief imperial advisor), committed ritual suicide. Hidetsugu was a nephew of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the ruler of Japan at that time.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"betsuden\" class=\"module\">\n<div class=\"img\">\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"..\/..\/images\/kongobuji\/jinai_betsuden.jpg\" width=\"1208\" height=\"466\" alt=\"Temple Annex (Betsuden)\">\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"inner\">\n<div class=\"txtBox\">\n<h2 class=\"mainTtl\">Temple Annex (Betsuden)<span class=\"kana\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<div class=\"txt\">\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Walking along a corridor, you will enter an annex, the Betsuden. It was built in 1934 to commemorate the 1100th anniversary of Kukai\u2019s entrance into eternal meditation. <br \/>\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Betsuden is decorated with the paintings by Moriya Tadashi.<br \/>\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The sliding door paintings features Kukai\u2019s travel to China to study esoteric Buddhism. On the other side of the rooms, there are paintings of beautiful flowers and autumn leaves.<\/p>\n<ul class=\"thumbList\">\n<li><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"..\/..\/images\/kongobuji\/jinai_betsuden_thumb01.jpg\" width=\"240\" height=\"180\" alt=\"\"><\/li>\n<li><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"..\/..\/images\/kongobuji\/jinai_betsuden_thumb02.jpg\" width=\"240\" height=\"180\" alt=\"\"><\/li>\n<li><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"..\/..\/images\/kongobuji\/jinai_betsuden_thumb03.jpg\" width=\"240\" height=\"180\" alt=\"\"><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"shinbetsuden\" class=\"module\">\n<div class=\"img\">\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"..\/..\/images\/kongobuji\/jinai_shinbetsuden.jpg\" width=\"1208\" height=\"466\" alt=\"New Temple Annex (Shin Betsuden)\">\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"inner\">\n<div class=\"txtBox\">\n<h2 class=\"mainTtl\">New Temple Annex (Shin Betsuden)<span class=\"kana\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<div class=\"txt\">\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;In 1984, at the time of the 1150th anniversary since Kukai\u2019s entrance into eternal mediation, this new temple annex, the Shin Betsuden,\u201d new hall for resting\u201d and the rock garden, Banryutei were established. In the giant 169 tatami mat room, visitors will be served with a cup of tea and a piece of rice cracker. You will have a chance to see a priest deliver a sermon to the visitors.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"banryutei\" class=\"module\">\n<div class=\"img\">\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"..\/..\/images\/kongobuji\/jinai_banryutei.jpg\" width=\"1208\" height=\"466\" alt=\"Banryutei Rock Garden\">\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"inner\">\n<div class=\"txtBox\">\n<h2 class=\"mainTtl\">Banryu-tei<span class=\"kana\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<div class=\"txt\">\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Banryu-tei,\u201d Garden of the Guardian Dragons\u201d is the largest rock garden in Japan, 2340 square meters in size. 140 stones depict a pair of dragons emerging from a sea of clouds to protect Okuden, the special room in the center of the garden.<br \/>\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The stones representing the dragons are granite from Shikoku, the place of Kukai\u2019s birth, and the white river sand representing the sea of clouds comes from Kyoto.<\/p>\n<ul class=\"thumbList\">\n<li><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"..\/..\/images\/kongobuji\/jinai_banryutei_thumb01.jpg\" width=\"240\" height=\"180\" alt=\"\"><\/li>\n<li><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"..\/..\/images\/kongobuji\/jinai_banryutei_thumb02.jpg\" width=\"240\" height=\"180\" alt=\"\"><\/li>\n<li><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"..\/..\/images\/kongobuji\/jinai_banryutei_thumb03.jpg\" width=\"240\" height=\"180\" alt=\"\"><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"okuden\" class=\"module\">\n<div class=\"img\">\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"..\/..\/images\/kongobuji\/jinai_okuden.jpg\" width=\"1208\" height=\"466\" alt=\"Interior (Okuden) (private)\">\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"inner\">\n<div class=\"txtBox\">\n<h2 class=\"mainTtl\">Okuden(private)<span class=\"kana\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<div class=\"txt\">\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Okuden,\u201d inner hall\u201d in the center of the rock garden is a special room for noble visitors, and was built in 1934 at the time of the 1100th anniversary of Kukai\u2019s entrance into eternal meditation. Except on the day of Kukai\u2019s birthday and on some special events, this room is not open to the public. Japanese painter Ishizaki Koyo (1884~1947) left his last great works, \u201cYukiyama Kashin\u201d (Flower news from snow mountain), depicting the Himalayas and the Himalayan rhododendron here on the sliding doors. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"shinsyoin_shinsyouan\" class=\"module\">\n<div class=\"img\">\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"..\/..\/images\/kongobuji\/jinai_shinsyoin_shinsyouan.jpg\" width=\"1208\" height=\"466\" alt=\"Shin Shoin and Shin Shoan (private)\">\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"inner\">\n<div class=\"txtBox\">\n<h2 class=\"mainTtl\">Shin Shoin and Shin Sho-an (private)<span class=\"kana\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<div class=\"txt\">\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(Photo:left) Shin Shoin served as lodging for the late Emperor Showa and Empress Kojun at the time of The Kuroshio National Athletic Meet held in Wakayama prefecture in 1971.<br \/>\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(Photo:right) Shin Sho-an is a full-fledged tea ceremony house donated by the founder of Panasonic, Konosuke Matsushita in 1964 at the time of 1150thcommemorative year since Koyasan\u2019s founding. It was named Shinsho-an by the late Eisaku Sato, former Prime Minister of Japan.<br \/>\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Both interiors are not ordinarily open to the public.<\/p>\n<ul class=\"thumbList\">\n<li><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"..\/..\/images\/kongobuji\/jinai_shinsyoin_shinsyouan_thumb01.jpg\" width=\"240\" height=\"180\" alt=\"\"><\/li>\n<li><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"..\/..\/images\/kongobuji\/jinai_shinsyoin_shinsyouan_thumb02.jpg\" width=\"240\" height=\"180\" alt=\"\"><\/li>\n<li><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"..\/..\/images\/kongobuji\/jinai_shinsyoin_shinsyouan_thumb03.jpg\" width=\"240\" height=\"180\" alt=\"\"><\/li>\n<li><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"..\/..\/images\/kongobuji\/jinai_shinsyoin_shinsyouan_thumb04.jpg\" width=\"240\" height=\"180\" alt=\"\"><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"ajikandojo\" class=\"module\">\n<div class=\"img\">\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"..\/..\/images\/kongobuji\/jinai_ajikandojo.jpg\" width=\"1208\" height=\"466\" alt=\"Ajikan Dojo\">\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"inner\">\n<div class=\"txtBox\">\n<h2 class=\"mainTtl\">Ajikan Dojo<span class=\"kana\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<div class=\"txt\">\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Ajikan Dojo is a place to practice Esoteric Buddhist meditation, Ajikan (Meditation on the Sanskrit character \u201cA\u201d).<br \/>\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Ajikan is a form of meditation unique to Esoteric Shingon Buddhism. Kobo Daishi (Kukai) is said to have introduced this into Japan when he came back from China with the doctrine of esoteric Buddhism in the 9th century. The priests and lay people have traditionally practiced it for centuries. Innovative Kukai emphasized that we could become a Buddha within this very lifetime, not after death. Ajikan meditation is a method to try to attain unity with Buddha by concentrating on a drawing of the Sanskrit syllable &#8216;A&#8217;. <\/p>\n<ul class=\"thumbList\">\n<li><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"..\/..\/images\/kongobuji\/jinai_ajikandojo_thumb01.jpg\" width=\"240\" height=\"180\" alt=\"\"><\/li>\n<li><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"..\/..\/images\/kongobuji\/jinai_ajikandojo_thumb02.jpg\" width=\"240\" height=\"180\" alt=\"\"><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"syoinjoudannoma\" class=\"module\">\n<div class=\"img\">\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"..\/..\/images\/kongobuji\/jinai_syoinjoudannoma.jpg\" width=\"1208\" height=\"466\" alt=\"Shoin Jodan no Ma\">\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"inner\">\n<div class=\"txtBox\">\n<h2 class=\"mainTtl\">Jodan no Ma<span class=\"kana\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<div class=\"txt\">\n<p>\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Jodan no Ma \u201cHigher Platform Room\u201d used to be a reception room for visiting emperors and now it is used for Koyasan\u2019s major ceremonies.<br \/>\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Emperors and retired emperors sat on the higher platform. Behind small tasseled sliding doors on the right is the Musha Kakushi,\u201d Room to hide samurai bodyguards\u201d to protect emperors just in case of surprise attack. The room is highly prestigious with the walls completely covered in gold leaf, and with the ceilings coffered.<\/p>\n<ul class=\"thumbList\">\n<li><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"..\/..\/images\/kongobuji\/jinai_syoinjoudannoma_thumb01.jpg\" width=\"240\" height=\"180\" alt=\"\"><\/li>\n<li><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"..\/..\/images\/kongobuji\/jinai_syoinjoudannoma_thumb02.jpg\" width=\"240\" height=\"180\" alt=\"\"><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"nakaniwa\" class=\"module\">\n<div class=\"img\">\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"..\/..\/images\/kongobuji\/jinai_nakaniwa.jpg\" width=\"1208\" height=\"466\" alt=\"Courtyard\">\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"inner\">\n<div class=\"txtBox\">\n<h2 class=\"mainTtl\">Courtyard<span class=\"kana\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<div class=\"txt\">\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The garden is enjoyable in every season. In the late spring, the rhododendron will be in full bloom in hues of red and white, the Natural Treasure of Japan, the Japanese Forest Green Tree Frog laying its eggs toward the rainy season in early summer, colored leaves in autumn, and white snow in winter. The Japanese forest green tree frog, a species endemic to Japan, is unique in laying white foam-like egg in leaves and branches overhanging a pond.<br \/>\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The garden is told to have been made in the Edo period, and it was said that around the pond, stood Japanese cedar, Japanese cypress, red pine, hemlock, fir, and umbrella pine tree called \u201cKoya-maki\u201d. They are called \u201cthe six tree species of Koyasan\u201d.<br \/>\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Since ancient times, according to the teaching of Kukai, the forest of Koyasan was preserved by promoting so-called \u201cplanting the six tree species of Koyasan\u201d, which is useful to sustain forest diversity as well as to make use of the trees as timber to reconstruct temples. <br \/>\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The umbrella pine is a beautiful indigenous evergreen and grows straight and tall. Especially in Koyasan, it has been planted everywhere. The umbrella pine tree \u201cKoyama-maki\u201d was made Prince Hisahito\u2019s symbol when he was born in 2006.  Prince Hisahito is the son of Crown Prince and Princess Akishinomiya.<\/p>\n<ul class=\"thumbList\">\n<li><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"..\/..\/images\/kongobuji\/jinai_nakaniwa_thumb01.jpg\" width=\"240\" height=\"180\" alt=\"\"><\/li>\n<li><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"..\/..\/images\/kongobuji\/jinai_nakaniwa_thumb02.jpg\" width=\"240\" height=\"180\" alt=\"\"><\/li>\n<li><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"..\/..\/images\/kongobuji\/jinai_nakaniwa_thumb03.jpg\" width=\"240\" height=\"180\" alt=\"\"><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"okushoin\" class=\"module\">\n<div class=\"img\">\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"..\/..\/images\/kongobuji\/jinai_okushoin.jpg\" width=\"1208\" height=\"466\" alt=\"Okushoin\">\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"inner\">\n<div class=\"txtBox\">\n<h2 class=\"mainTtl\">Okushoin<span class=\"kana\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<div class=\"txt\">\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Okushoin, inner drawing room, was a resting place for the visiting Imperial family. There is a sunken hearth and a square chimney above it to heat the room in winter.<br \/>\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The picture on the sliding doors are the works by Unkoku Toeki (1591-1644), and his son Unkoku Toji (1615-1671). They inerited the artistic style of sesshu, master of the Japanese Sumie, monochrome painting.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p><!--\u203b\u7a1a\u5150\u306e\u9593\u306e\u30bb\u30af\u30b7\u30e7\u30f3\u306f\u30c6\u30ad\u30b9\u30c8\u304c\u306a\u3044\u305f\u3081\u3001\u30af\u30ed\u30fc\u30ba\u3057\u3066\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044\u3002\n\n\n\n<section id=\"chigonoma\" class=\"module\">\n\n\n<div class=\"img\">\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"..\/..\/images\/kongobuji\/jinai_chigonoma.jpg\" width=\"1208\" height=\"466\" alt=\"Chigonoma (Page Room)\">\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"inner\">\n\n\n<div class=\"txtBox\">\n\n\n<h2 class=\"mainTtl\">Chigonoma (Page Room)<span class=\"kana\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"txt\">\n\n\n<p>This room is along the lines of the Musha Kakushi linked to the Jodan no ma, and was a room for nightwatches who accompanied the Emperor. Afterwards, it was enshrined the Bodhisattva handed down from the house of former Count Soeshima. The painting on the fusuma was painted by Kano Tansai.<br \/>\n*Please go to Reihokan <a href=\"http:\/\/www.reihokan.or.jp\/yomoyama\/various\/index.htm\" target=\"_blank\">\u201cYomoyama Chronicles\u201d (new window)<\/a> for he full description of the Bodhisattva.<\/p>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/section>\n\n --><\/p>\n<section id=\"tsuchimuro\" class=\"module\">\n<div class=\"img\">\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"..\/..\/images\/kongobuji\/jinai_tsuchimuro.jpg\" width=\"1208\" height=\"466\" alt=\"Tsuchimuro (Earth Room)\">\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"inner\">\n<div class=\"txtBox\">\n<h2 class=\"mainTtl\">Irori-no-ma (room with open hearth)<span class=\"kana\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<div class=\"txt\">\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Koyasan is situated 800 meters above sea level. To survive the extremely cold winter weather, monks gathered in the so-called Tsuchimoro \u201cEarth Room\u201d. In the center of the room there is a sunken hearth to heat the room. To keep the heat in, the wall is traditional Japanese earthen wall. There is a chimney like square facility built with four pillars and four walls above the sunken hearth so that the smoke will go outside through it. This is unique to Koyasan, although the\u201d Tsuchimuro facility\u201d used to be common in medieval Japan. The fire of the sunken hearth warms the room and the people\u2019s hearts who gather for the Joraku-e Ceremony on the night of February 14th every year.<br \/>\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;One of the few remaining masters of \u201cnihonga\u201d painting, Hiroshi Senju dedicated his sublime waterfall and cliff images to the sliding doors in this room and the tea room. In his works, a minimalist visual language rooted in Abstract Expressionism is combined with ancient painting techniques unique to Japan.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"daidokoro\" class=\"module\">\n<div class=\"img\">\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"..\/..\/images\/kongobuji\/jinai_daidokoro.jpg\" width=\"1208\" height=\"466\" alt=\"Kitchen\">\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"inner\">\n<div class=\"txtBox\">\n<h2 class=\"mainTtl\">Kitchen<span class=\"kana\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<div class=\"txt\">\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Kitchen is now only used for a special religious ceremony. The high smoke-blackened ceiling with very thick beams speaks of the long history of this kitchen which provided meals for countless number of monks since the Edo period. Spring water is collected in a water tank made of \u201cKoya-maki\u201d (umbrella pine tree) which was grown in Koyasan.<br \/>\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;There is a wooden food storage rack hanging from the ceiling. The white paper attached to the storage is to keep rodents away from the food.<br \/>\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The chimney duct for charcoal fire is incredibly big as safeguard against fire. There are three large rice cauldrons. Each cauldron could cook 98kg rice and three cauldrons could feed two thousand people at one time.<br \/>\nThe Kitchen God is enshrined above the rice cauldrons.  <\/p>\n<ul class=\"thumbList\">\n<li><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"..\/..\/images\/kongobuji\/jinai_daidokoro_thumb01.jpg\" width=\"240\" height=\"180\" alt=\"\"><\/li>\n<li><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"..\/..\/images\/kongobuji\/jinai_daidokoro_thumb02.jpg\" width=\"240\" height=\"180\" alt=\"\"><\/li>\n<li><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"..\/..\/images\/kongobuji\/jinai_daidokoro_thumb03.jpg\" width=\"240\" height=\"180\" alt=\"\"><\/li>\n<li><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"..\/..\/images\/kongobuji\/jinai_daidokoro_thumb04.jpg\" width=\"240\" height=\"180\" alt=\"\"><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/section>\n<p><\/main><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What is Kongobuji Temple? What is the Issan Temple Grounds? To Everyone, From the Chief Abbot Temple Guide Annual Events Temple Guide Main Gate Rain Barrel Scripture Storehouse Bell Tower Large Entrance and Small Entrance Main Hall and Jibutsuma Umenoma Yanaginoma Temple Annex New Temple Annex Banryutei Rock Garden Okuden Shin Shoin and Shin Shoan Ajikan Dojo Shoin Jodan no Ma Courtyard Oku Shoin Chigo no Ma Tsuchimuro Kitchen Main Gate &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A charismatic founder, K\u016bkai (774-835), posthumously named Kobo Daishi, studied esoteric Buddhism in China and established the temple complex on Koyasan in 816. Kongobuji Temple is a headquarter of the Shingon sect of Esoteric Buddhism. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;At the main entrance [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-214","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.koyasan.or.jp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/214","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.koyasan.or.jp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.koyasan.or.jp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.koyasan.or.jp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.koyasan.or.jp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=214"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.koyasan.or.jp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/214\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5701,"href":"https:\/\/www.koyasan.or.jp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/214\/revisions\/5701"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.koyasan.or.jp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=214"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}