- Kōryū-ji
Nihongo|Kōryū-ji|広隆寺 is a
Shingon temple inUzumasa , Ukyō Ward,Kyoto ,Japan . The temple is also known by the names Nihongo|Uzumasa-dera|太秦寺 and nihongo|Kadono-dera|葛野寺, and was formerly known as Nihongo|Hatanokimi-dera|秦公寺, Nihongo|Hachioka-dera|蜂岡寺 and Nihongo|Hōkō-ji|蜂岡寺.Kōryū-ji is said to be the oldest temple in Kyoto, having been constructed in 603 by
Hata no Kawakatsu upon receiving a Buddhist statue fromPrince Shōtoku . Fires in 818 and 1150 destroyed the entire temple complex, but it was rebuilt each time. [http://www.japanvisitor.com/index.php?cID=406&pID=1345 Japan Tourist Info.] ]The temple contains a number of important pieces of cultural heritage. The first registered national treasure in Japan, a wooden image of the Bodhisattva
Maitreya sitting contemplatively in the half-lotus position, called nihongo|"Hōkan Miroku"|宝冠弥勒 is amongst the rare objects that are preserved and displayed at Kōryū-ji. [see above] ]The temple is also renowned for its Nihongo|Bull Festival|牛祭|"ushi matsuri", traditionally held in mid-October, but currently suspended. [ [http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/indepth/history/traditionalevents/a59_fes_kurama.html JNTO] ]
References
*
Daijirin , 2nd edition
*Daijisen , 1st edition
*Kōjien , 5th editionExternal links
* [http://web.kyoto-inet.or.jp/org/orion/eng/hstj/ukyo/koryuji.html images of Hondo (1730)]
* [http://www.geopassage.com/Japan/attraction/Kyoto/Koryuji_Temple.htm image of Nandiamon (1702)]
* [http://rubens.anu.edu.au/htdocs/bycountry/japan/kyoto/koryuji/ images of the statuary]
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
