Saihouji (Koke-dera)
京都府
World Heritage 'Moss Temple' revived by Muso Soseki — 120 moss varieties create a dreamlike garden carpet
Founded
1339
Type
Temple
Visited
Want to go
Access
3 min walk from Kyoto Bus Koke-dera/Suzumushi-dera stop
56 Matsuo Kamigaya-cho, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto
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Overview
A UNESCO World Heritage Rinzai Zen temple known worldwide as 'Koke-dera' (Moss Temple). The garden revived by Muso Soseki in 1339 is a phantasmal beauty of some 120 varieties of moss carpeting every surface. Visits are by advance reservation only, with visitors performing sutra copying before viewing the garden — a distinctive system maintained to this day. The upper dry landscape garden is said t…
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Origins
Traditionally founded by Gyoki during the Tenpyo era (729-749). In 1339, Muso Soseki restored the neglected temple as a Zen monastery and created the garden. The upper dry landscape is considered the origin of Japanese karesansui gardens. When the temple fell into disrepair during the Edo period, mo…
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Divine Benefits
Purification
Rebirth in Pure Land
Cleansing impurity, spiritual purification, driving away evil. Rooted in misogi ablutions and goma fire rites.
Derived from the enshrined deity "阿弥陀如来"
人Related Figures— 2
人
Musō Soseki
National Teacher of Seven Reigns, Zen Garden Master
Age 64 at founding
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The garden revived by Muso Soseki in 1339 is a phantasmal beauty of some 120 varieties of moss carpeting every surface.
Gyōki
Monk of the People & Archbishop
Age 671 at founding (posthumous)
›
A UNESCO World Heritage Rinzai temple known as 'Koke-dera' (Moss Temple), said to have been founded by the priest Gyoki during the Tempyo era of the Nara period.
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記
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