Kyoto

Painted Lotuses at Shoren-in Temple

Kyoto temple with high class connections

Takako Sakamoto Dec 07, 2014 - 1 min read

<p>Admirable lotus painting by Hideki Kimura on the sliding doors of Kachoden Hall</p>

<p>Brilliant maple leaves seen from the small window of Kachoden Hall</p>

<p>The Garden of Soami and Ryujin-no Ike Pond (Dragon God Pond)</p>

<p>The screen displayed in the corridor between Kachoden Hall and Kogosho Hall features  a painting of elegant aristocrats</p>

<p>The beautiful semicircular-shaped bridge over Ryujin-no Ike Pond (Dragon God Pond) is called 'Koryu-bashi (the bridge over a dragon)'</p>

<p>Awesome maple tree standing between Shinden Hall and Kogosho Hall</p>

<p>There are sixty sliding doors with lotus paintings in the guest rooms of Kachoden Hall</p>

<p>The brilliant blue color of lotus paintings matches the name of the temple, Shoren-in (the temple of blue lotus)</p>

In November 2014 I went to Kyoto to enjoy autumn leaves, and visited several famous temples.

This story focuses on Shoren-in Temple, which is famous for an image of its blue guardian deity - a National Treasure. Shoren-in is one of the Monzeki Temples, and the head priests traditionally come from aristocratic or imperial lineage. Because this temple can boast of noble connections, it is commonly called 'Awata Imperial Palace'.

Along with the brilliant maple leaves here, the lotus paintings on the sliding doors of guest rooms in Kachoden Hall are marvelous. Especially, the blue lotus paintings painted by Hideki Kimura are extraordinary.

Takako Sakamoto @takako.sakamoto

I was born in and grew up in Tokushima prefecture, and have lived in many places since then: Nishinomiya, Kyoto, Nara, Mie, Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama, Chiba, Fukuoka and Fukui. I am currently living in Yokohama City. All the places I lived, all the places I visited, I have loved dearly. The histor...