The history of Myoren-ji (妙蓮寺) starts in 1295 when it was established as Myorengeji (妙法蓮華寺). Incidentally, there is also a Renge-ji (蓮華寺) in Kyoto, but in 1394 the temple was rebuilt and start to use the name Myoren-ji, less confusing for today's tourist ;-) It was then destroyed by wire in 1536, then rebuilt in 1542. In 1587, Myoren-ji was moved to its current location, only to be destroyed again, and by fire again, in 1788. Reconstruction started in 1789; some of the huildings built then still survive to this day. Such is the story for many temples in Kyoto: build, fire, rebuild, move, etc... What a contrast with the immutable stone constructions of Europe!
Although Myoren-ji has height small sub-temples, none of them is viewable, as far as I know. But this doesn't really matter for the main temple is a very nice place to visit already. The main point of Myoren-ji is its rock and moss garden. It is unusual by its use of large rhododendron "blob" bushes and pine trees trimmer a bit enthusiastically. There's a purpose to this though: Myorenji used to be surrounded by small houses, until a school arrived and promptly built a nice fence on the main edge of the garden. Auugh! The trees are therefore here only to mask the school, which they do a bit, and will do better in 20 years. Provided there is not too much trimming in the meantime ;-)
The garden is surrounded by temple buildings on the three other sides. One side has a granary (classic white two-floor construction), opposite to which is the main hall. The last side, facing the school wall, is unusual in that it doesn't have full height sliding doors but has western-like height windows and curtains. I suspect it is more recent. The best time to see the garden is clearly in early June when the rhododendrons bloom with pink colours. Myoren-ji also has a smaller inner garden with nice flowers and a low-profile water basin (蹲 - tsukubai) and a lantern.
Myoren-ji is one of the best places to visit in the area, together with the rarely open Hokyo-ji (宝鏡寺). Note that the main hall of the temple, at the center of the compound, is currently under heavy repairs that will last until 2014. Recommended for: Access: Nearby: Honpō-ji 本法寺 (210m), Hōkyō-ji 宝鏡寺 (270m), Myokaku-ji 妙覺寺 (370m), the Fujita House 藤田家住宅 (390m), Myōken-ji 妙顕寺 (420m), Uhō-in 雨宝院 (440m), Honryū-ji 本隆寺 (500m), Takeisao-jinja 建勲神社 (700m), Ikutanike Jūtaku 生谷家住宅 (740m), Shakuzo-ji 石像寺 (750m),... External links: Website, ウィキペディア, 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, 妙蓮寺, Myoren-ji, temple, 寺院, 仏閣 Statistics: visited on 4 occasions, id 409, 9 photos (30 extra photos can be found in the archive). |
