Kōryū-ji

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^?)^[1] 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 several times since.^[2]

Wooden statue of Bodhisattva

The temple contains a number of important pieces of cultural heritage. One of national treasures in Japan (registered on June 9, 1951), 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.^[2]

The temple is also renowned for its Bull Festival (牛祭, ushi matsuri^?), traditionally held in mid-October, but currently suspended.^[3]

Notes

References

• Daijirin, 2nd edition
• Daijisen, 1st edition
• Kōjien, 5th edition
• Ponsonby-Fane, Richard Arthur Brabazon. (1956). Kyoto: The Old Capital of Japan, 794-1869. Kyoto: The Ponsonby Memorial Society.

See also

• List of Buddhist temples in Kyoto
• List of National Treasures of Japan (temples)
• List of National Treasures of Japan (ancient documents)
• List of National Treasures of Japan (sculptures)
• For an explanation of terms concerning Japanese Buddhism, Japanese Buddhist art, and Japanese Buddhist temple architecture, see the Glossary of Japanese Buddhism.

External links

• images of Hondo (1730)
• image of Nandiamon (1702)
• images of the statuary