Shinnyodo's 6-meter parinirvana painting—displayed only in March—is famous for the unusual inclusion of a cat among the mourners
Founded
992
Type
Temple
Visited
Want to go
Access
About 8 min walk from Kinrin-Shako-mae bus stop (the temple's official site recommends this stop over the closer Shinnyodo-mae stop, which involves a steep uphill climb)
The large parinirvana painting (nehan-zu) housed at Shinnyodo measures approximately 6.2 m tall by 4 m wide in vivid polychrome; it is displayed for one month only, March 1–31, each year. The painting is famous for including a cat — normally absent from such depictions — making it especially popular with cat lovers. It is one of Japan's largest and most detailed paintings of the Buddha's passing. …
Read more
Origins
Shinnyodo (Shinsho Gokurakuji) is traditionally said to have been founded in 992 (Eiso 4) by the Tendai monk Kaizan of Mount Hiei. It was originally established on the western slopes of Hiei before being relocated closer to the imperial capital. During the Muromachi period, the temple is said to hav…
Read more
Divine Benefits
Purification
Rebirth in Pure Land
Cleansing impurity, spiritual purification, driving away evil. Rooted in misogi ablutions and goma fire rites.