A Symphony of Colors –The Jojakko-ji Temple in Arashiyama
After touring the Okochi-Sanso Villa, I made my way to the Jojakko-ji Temple, also in the vicinity.
In terms of natural environ, the Jojakko-ji Temple brings to the large selection of temple visits in Arashiyama another kind of aura. The red foliage at Jojakko-ji Temple is fused in one with its temple structures. The warm colors of the foliage hover over the minimalistic temple architecture. In Jojakko-ji Temple I experienced the variations of light, and it felt spiritual there. I certainly felt the warmth of apricity the in late morning. As I ascended on a higher point in the temple, the cool mists from Mount Ogura seemed to have descended upon me. Jojakko-ji Temple unveiled the full contours of its charm, and I was spellbound.
A Brief History of the Jojakko-ji Temple
Roughly meaning the “everlasting light of wisdom when nearing nirvana” in Japanese (livejapan.com), the Jojakko-ji Temple was founded in 1596, at a time when Japan was mired in civil wars and right at the dawn of the Edo period. The temple is of the Nichiren School of Japanese Buddhism. Based on the teachings of the Lotus Sutra, the Buddhist priest Nichiren developed this school of Buddhism during the Kamakura period in the 13th century. Nichiren Buddhism was thought to be one of the “six new schools” of Kamakura Buddhism that emerged in this time.
Arose in a time of civil strife in Japan, Nichiren Buddhism advocated for a practical application of the Lotus Sutra in one’s individual life, including both meditation and actions, to eventually benefit the society at large. As a priest, Nichiren argued against the other popular schools of Buddhism that proposed competing views about the doctrinal teachings of the Lotus Sutra. In fact, he was very much against Zen Buddhism, which was a preeminent school of practice in Arashiyama (for more, see my previous entry on the Tenryu-ji Temple).
A Tour at the Jojakko-ji Temple
There are four main structures in the Jojakko-ji Temple. From the ground up, you would go through the Niomon Gate first, then Hondo to your right, Myoken-do to your left, and Tahoto at an even higher vantage point. Wonderful seasonal trees lined up all over the temple grounds and clothe Jojakko-ji in the velvety flush of autumn colors. Although there were a lot of foot traffic at this time of the year, one will not miss the serenity that percolates in this temple.
Niomon Gate
The thatched roofed, simple structure indicates the way to enter into the light of wisdom at Jojakko-ji Temple. The Niomon Gate is a 14th century structure that is also the oldest in the temple. As I approached the Niomon Gate, I began to sense the spirit of more than 200 Japanese maple trees, winging their magic touch on a beautiful autumn day.
The Hondo (Main Hall)
The Hondo was built in the Keicho era (1596-1615), its original was the guest hall at the Momoyama-joh (Fushimi) Castle in Kyoto. The hall was moved to this temple and converted into the Hondo.
The Myoken-Do Hall
Myoken-do is a hall dedicated to the Bodhisattva of the North Star. It is believed to bless followers with a longevity.
The Tahoto Pagoda
On an elevated point beyond the temple grounds stands the Tahoto Pagoda. This pagoda was built at a much later time, in the 17th century, but in the style of the spectacular Momoyama style of a century earlier.
Although it was an incredibly peaceful walk at the Jojakko-ji Temple, I spent only about an hour there and moved right along to the next sightseeing, the Nison-in Temple.
Sources
Kaipai! on Jojakko-ji.
The Wikipedia on Nichiren Buddhism.
www.japan.travel, Jojakko-ji Temple.
livejapan.com, Jojakko-ji Temple: Experiencing Sensational Kyoto Fall Foliage at a Magical Garden.
Descriptions on site at the Jojakko-ji Temple.