Sanjusangendo
京都府
Hall of 1,001 Senju Kannon statues built by Retired Emperor Go-Shirakawa and Taira no Kiyomori
Founded
1164
Type
Temple
Visited
Want to go
Access
Right at City Bus Hakubutsukan-Sanjusangendo-mae stop
657 Sanjusangendo-mawari-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto
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Overview
An awe-inspiring hall founded by Retired Emperor Go-Shirakawa, housing 1,001 Senju Kannon statues. The rows of golden Kannon figures create an overwhelming spectacle. Officially known as Rengeo-in Main Hall.
Origins
Built in 1164 by order of Retired Emperor Go-Shirakawa, with Taira no Kiyomori overseeing construction. The original burned in 1249 and the current hall was rebuilt in 1266. The approximately 120m-long hall houses 1,001 Senju Kannon standing statues flanking a central seated Senju Kannon (National T…
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Divine Benefits
Healing & Longevity
Matchmaking
Safe Childbirth & Fertility
Warding Off Evil
Recovery from illness, bodily wellness, peace of mind. Especially efficacious at Yakushi and Kannon temples.
Derived from the enshrined deity "千手観音"
記Related Articles— 8
記
記
Forms of Kannon: How to Identify Thousand-Armed, Eleven-Faced, and Other Types
Explaining the many forms of Kannon Bodhisattva — Thousand-Armed, Eleven-Faced, Horse-Headed, and Cintamani-Wheel — with a practical guide to Sanjusangendo, Sensoji, Hasedera, and Ishiyamadera, plus Western Japan and Bando pilgrimage routes.
basics
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Sanjusangendo and Kannon Faith: The Hall of a Thousand and One Kannon Bodhisattvas
Sanjusangendo in Kyoto houses 1,001 life-size Kannon sculptures in Japan's longest wooden hall. This article explores the meaning of Kannon faith and related temples of Pure Land and Kannon devotion including Byodoin and Daigoji.
basics
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記
The Man Yoritomo Called 'Japan's Greatest Tengu' — Goshirakawa's Political Cunning
Yoritomo called Goshirakawa 'Japan's Greatest Tengu' — a demon who bewitches people. It was the highest compliment and deepest insult. Goshirakawa manipulated Kiyomori, Yoshinaka, Yoshitsune, and Yoritomo in turn, always surviving.
era
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もっと詳しく · 5
人Related Figures— 2
人
Taira no Kiyomori
Head of the Taira Clan, Grand Minister of State
Age 46 at founding
›
The main hall of Rengeo-in, built in 1164 by Taira no Kiyomori at the command of Retired Emperor Go-Shirakawa. It houses 1,001 statues of the thousand-armed Kannon.
Retired Emperor Go-Shirakawa
The Greatest Tengu of Japan
Age 37 at founding
›
The Sanjusangendo (Hall of the Lotus King, formally Rengeo-in), was built in 1164 at the command of Retired Emperor Go-Shirakawa (1127–1192), who ordered Taira no Kiyomori to construct it within his Hojuji-den palace complex. Go-Shirakawa was a passionate devotee of imayo (contemporary popular songs) as well as Buddhism. The 1,001 Senju Kannon statues embody the retired emperor's deep faith and represent the cultural zenith of the Insei period of rule by retired emperors. Go-Shirakawa was called 'the greatest tenguu in the realm' for his skill in manipulating rivals from Minamoto no Yoshitomo to Kiyomori to Yoritomo — yet the religious passion expressed in Sanjusangendo reveals another dimension of this complex political figure.
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Visiting Information
Hours
Apr 1–Nov 15: 8:30–17:00. Nov 16–Mar 31: 9:00–16:00.
Admission
General ¥600, junior/senior high ¥400, elementary ¥300. Group discounts available.
As of 2026-07-17. Subject to change.
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記
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