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2022.7.16
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Flower Ceiling at Saifukuji Temple

Both beautiful flowers and human life are impermanent [Saifukuji Temple]

In the Heian period (794-1185), Kobo Daishi built Tsujido at Rokudo no Tsuji, located at the entrance to Toribeno, and enshrined a Jizo statue of his own creation. It is still worshipped today as a child-rearing Jizo, child-supporting Jizo, and child-supporting Jizo. Currently, the flower ceiling cannot be viewed from inside the main hall, but Western flowers such as iris, gerbera, and bougainvillea can be seen painted on it from outside the hall.

1.Seifukuji Temple and flower ceiling

In the Heian period (794-1185), Kobo Daishi built Tsujido at Rokudo Tsuji, located at the entrance to Toribeno, one of the three major burial grounds in Kyoto, and enshrined a Jizo-son of his own making. When Prince Masayoshi, the son of Emperor Saga and Empress Danrin, fell ill, Empress Danrin prayed to the Jizo-son of Seifukuji Temple for healing of her illness, and the illness was cured. Currently, the flower ceiling is not open to the public and cannot be viewed from inside the main hall, but can be seen from outside the hall. Many Western flowers, such as iris, gerbera, and bougainvillea, were painted on the flower ceiling in the Showa period (1926-1989).

Entrance to Seifukuji Temple
Flower ceiling up at Saifukuji Temple

Ceiling paintings that also bloom in the hearts of parishioners

Dedicated in 1983 by Japanese-style painter Yuzumi Morimoto and his students as a memorial service for the 1,150th anniversary of Empress Danrin's death. Nine of the 64 panels were created by Morimoto Yuusen.

2.Put your hands together in front of Fudo-sama.

It is said that in the early Kamakura period (1185-1333), Hōhō Go-Shirakawa, in gratitude for the fulfillment of his vow of asceticism during his Kumano pilgrimage, invited Fudo-son from Nachi and made him the guardian deity of the originally existing Jizō-son, Suehiro Fudo-son. It is said that many people pray for prosperous business.

Fudo-sama at Seifuku-ji Temple

3.Temple associated with Empress Danrin, known for her beauty

Empress Danglin is said to have been so beautiful that even monks in training fell in love with her. It is said that she left a will that her corpse should be buried in the wind instead of being buried. The "Nine Phases of Empress Danglin" (not open to the public) depicts her decaying body and her teachings on the impermanence of all things.

Empress Danrin at Seifukuji Temple

4.Interviewed by: Mr. Renba Aoya, Acting Chief Resident

Mr. Renba Aoya, Acting Chief Resident

Saifukuji Temple

  • writing time
  • 81 Nishi-Turinokurikurakucho, Matsubara-dori Yamato-oji Higashi-iru, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
  • 7 minutes walk from Keihan "Kiyomizu Gojo Station"
  • Tel. 075-551-0675
  • 8:00-17:00
  • 7 days a week
  • Precincts freedom
  • No parking
  • Flower ceiling: closed to the public
*Please note that the information contained herein is subject to change without notice.
*Since this site uses automatic translation, the translation may differ from the original Japanese content.

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