While its official name is Choho-ji, this temple is mostly known as Rokkaku-do ("hexagonal hall"). In fact, the street where the temple is located is even called Rokkaku-dori! The temple was founded in 794 by prince Shotoku. Rokkaku-do is known as the birth place of ikebana (floral arrangement). The story tells that the head priest of the temple would make flower arrangements and put them at the foot of the principal image of the temple, a statue of Cintamani-cakra (如意輪観音). His arrangements became famous, and the rest is history :-) Records of early ikebana techniques from the 15th century still exist today.
A nice cherry blossom tree dominates a small stream with 16 happy-looking arhats statues (Buddha followers). The tree is has an early blossom, and the colour of its flowers gradually change from white to pink.
Note also the shop across the street from the temple entrance which sells ikebana tools and accessories...
Recommended for: Access: free Nearby: the Nishiki market 錦市場 (570m), the Tawaraya Ryokan 俵屋旅館 (590m), the Gion Festival 祇園祭 (600m), Kyōto 京都 (640m), Yata-dera 矢田寺 (640m), Nishiki Tenman-gū 錦天満宮 (690m), Honnō-ji 本能寺 (760m), Byōdō-ji 平等寺 (910m), Pontochō 先斗町 (1km), Kōshiya 格子家 (1.1km),... External links: Website, ウィキペディア, Wikipedia, Wikipédia, Kyoto Navi, Trip Advisor, Kyoto Design, 京都風光, Marutake, そうだ京都, Satellite view, Map Keywords: Japan, 日本, Japon, Kyoto, 京都, 下京, 中京, 上京, Rokkaku-do, 頂法寺, 六角堂, temple, 寺院, 仏閣 Statistics: visited on 2 occasions, id 28, 7 photos (9 extra photos can be found in the archive). |
