Kōryū-ji
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Kōryū-ji (広隆寺?) is a Shingon temple in Uzumasa, Ukyō Ward, Kyoto, Japan. The temple is also known by the names Uzumasa-dera (太秦寺?) and Kadono-dera (葛野寺?), and was formerly known as Hatanokimi-dera (秦公寺?), Hachioka-dera (蜂岡寺?) and Hōkō-ji (蜂岡寺?).
Kōryū-ji is said to be the oldest temple in Kyoto, having been constructed in 603 by Hata no Kawakatsu upon receiving a Buddhist statue from Prince Shōtoku. Fires in 818 and 1150 destroyed the entire temple complex, but it was rebuilt each time.[1]
The temple contains a number of important pieces of cultural heritage. The first registered national treasure in Japan, a wooden image of the Bodhisattva Maitreya sitting contemplatively in the half-lotus position, called "Hōkan Miroku" (宝冠弥勒?) is amongst the rare objects that are preserved and displayed at Kōryū-ji.[1]
The temple is also renowned for its Bull Festival (牛祭 ushi matsuri?), traditionally held in mid-October, but currently suspended.[2]
