Kai Zenkoji Temple
Main hall of Kai Zenkoji Temple.
Main hall of Kai Zenkoji Temple from another angle.
Kai Zenkoji Temple was established by Takeda Shingen in 1565.
The main hall is 27 meters tall and 49 meters long. Which is the largest wooden structures in Eastern Japan.
Main gate of Kai Zenkoji Temple.
You can see two wooden muscular statues both side of the gate.
These called Kongorikishi (Dava King) . Guardian deity of Buddhism.
One statue has an open mouth. He's saying "Ah". The other with his mouth closed is saying "Un".
In the Japanese syllabary "Ah" is the first sound and "Un" is the last sound .
The implication is that they symbolize from the beginning to the end of the world, life, etc.
You can see the Large incense burner (Jokoro in Japanese) right in front of Main hall.
Incense burner were brought to Japan from China about 400 years ago.
This is one of the purification facilities in Buddhism.
People came to believe that the smoke from the incense burner has a healing effect.
This is the picture of Sensoji Temple in Tokyo.
The people around the incense burner cover their heads with smoke.
They believe the healing power of Holy smoke. They will become smarter.
Water basin.
You can purify your hands and mouth using this water.
History of Kai Zenkoji Temple.
There are two temples named Zinkoji, One is in Nagano and one is in kofu in Ymanashi.
Kai is an old name for Ymanashi prefecture.
In 16the h century, Takeda shingen (ruler of Kai) repeated battles against Uesugi Kenshin who came from Echigo (Niigata prefecture).
Uesugi Kenshin was also strong samuraia warrior thoinse days.
They had fought at Zenkoji-daira, a basin in the northern part of Nagano prefecture.
Takeda Shingen feared Shinano Zenkoji Temple located in Zinkojiaiira (Zinko in Nagano) might be destroyed by fire.
Shingen decided to move all the Buddhist treasures and statues from Sinano to Kai in 1558.
Takeda Shingen built a main hall of the Kai zenkoji Temple in 1565.
In the 17th century, Tokugawa Ieyasu unified and ruled Japan.
He was really interested in Buddhism, and Kai Zenkoji is one of his favorite.
It became famous all over Japan.
However the temple completely burnt to ashes in 1754.
People reconstructed the temple in 1796. It took for 31 years. Amazing long time!
Kay Zenkozi we can see is reconstruction.
The main hall and gate are designated as national important cultural properties.
Inside of the main hall
You need to pay ¥500 for entering the main altar to see the Buddhist statue.
Attention Please, Once you entered the altar, you will be prohibited from taking pictures.
You'd better to take pictures from the entrance before entering it.
You can get a leaflet. Unfortunately They don't prepare it in English.
You enter the main altar. Soon you could see big dragons on the ceiling.
It's famous for" The Dragon's Cry."
There is a footstep print on the floor. First, stand up on there and clap your hands.
Sounds are resonating with the ceiling and the floor like The Dragon's Cry.
Suppose many people were on the floor. The floor would go down by the weight. Then It's hard to resonate.
The fewer, The better.
You still have the main event yet.
You go down the back side of the temple. It's a pitch-black place.
You are looking for the key in the dark corridor.
The Key is on the left side. You go forward, touching the left wall.
When you find the key, you should make a wish!
The key is connected to the Buddha. Your wish may come true.
Map
Information: Kai Zenkoji
Zip, 400-0806
Address, 3-36-1 Zenkoji, Kofu City
Tel, 055-233-7570
Fax, 055-231-0757
Mail, staff@kai-zenkoji.co.jp