Nanzenji Sanmon Gate
京都府
One of Japan's three great gates, donated by Todo Takatora in 1628 and immortalized in kabuki as the stage for Ishikawa Goemon's famous line
Founded
1628
Type
Temple
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Access
About 10 min walk from Keage Station (Tozai Subway Line)
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Overview
The imposing two-story gate of Nanzenji, one of Japan's three great gates, donated in 1628 by Todo Takatora to comfort those who fell in the Summer Siege of Osaka. Standing approximately 22 meters high, its upper level (the Gohororo) offers a sweeping panorama of Kyoto — famous as the stage where the kabuki character Ishikawa Goemon delivers the line "What a magnificent view!" The ceiling painting…
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Origins
Nanzenji Temple was founded in 1291 when Emperor Kameyama converted his detached palace into a Zen temple, with Mukan Fumon (Daimyo Kokushi) as its founding abbot. During the Muromachi period, it was granted the supreme rank of Gozan no Ue, placing it above all other Zen temples in Japan. However, t…
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Divine Benefits
Warding Off Evil
Purification
Rebirth in Pure Land
Averting disaster, directional protection, warding off epidemics. Central at Fudo, Kannon, and Gion-related sites.
Derived from the enshrined deity "釈迦如来・十六羅漢"
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