Chishakuin
京都府
Head temple of Shingon Chisan school, housing Hasegawa Tohaku's National Treasure 'Maple' screens and a garden linked to Sen no Rikyu
Founded
1598
Type
Temple
Visited
Want to go
Access
About 3 min walk from Higashiyama-Shichijo bus stop, or 10 min walk from Shichijo Station (Keihan Main Line)
964 Higashikawara-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto
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Overview
Chishakuin is the head temple of the Shingon Chisan school, re-established in Higashiyama in 1598 by Genyu to revive Negoroji, which had been confiscated by Toyotomi Hideyoshi; it oversees major temples including Naritasan Shinshoji, Kawasaki Daishi, and Yakushiji. The National Treasure painted sliding screens "Kaede-zu" (Maple) and "Sakura-zu" (Cherry Blossoms) by the father-and-son artists Haseg…
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Origins
The history of Chishakuin traces back to Negoro-san (present-day Iwade City, Wakayama Prefecture), where the scholar-monk Genyu established the temple at the Daidenpoin complex during the late Muromachi period. In 1585, Toyotomi Hideyoshi's assault on Negoroji resulted in the destruction and confisc…
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Divine Benefits
Warding Off Evil
Purification
Career Advancement
Averting disaster, directional protection, warding off epidemics. Central at Fudo, Kannon, and Gion-related sites.
Derived from the enshrined deity "金剛界大日如来"
人Related Figures— 2
人
Sen no Rikyu
Master of Wabi-cha Tea Ceremony
Age 76 at founding (posthumous)
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The strolling-pond garden at Chishaku-in is said to have been designed in a style favored by Sen no Rikyu, modeled after Mount Lu in China. Passed down as reflecting Rikyu's refined wabi-cha aesthetic, the garden today delights visitors with azaleas, hydrangeas, and autumn foliage through the seasons, remaining one of Kyoto's celebrated gardens.
Toyotomi Hideyoshi
Taiko, Ruler of All
Age 61 at founding
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The head temple of the Shingon Chisan school, re-established in Higashiyama in 1598 by Genyu to revive Negoroji, which had been confiscated by Toyotomi Hideyoshi.
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Visiting Information
Hours
Visiting hours 9:00-16:30 (last admission 16:00). Closed Dec 29-31.
Admission
Main precincts free. Treasure Museum and garden each require separate admission: 500/300/200.
As of 2026-07-17. Subject to change.
Official Links
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記
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