Myōrenji, Buddhist temple in Kamigyō-ku, Japan
Myōrenji is a Buddhist temple in Kamigyō-ku featuring a dry landscape garden called Jurokurakan, with sixteen dark rocks set in white gravel. This garden represents Buddha's disciples and serves as the temple's main focal point.
The temple was founded in 1294 by priest Nichizo and relocated to its current site in 1587. A major fire in 1788 destroyed the buildings, leading to reconstruction.
Paintings by artists from the Hasegawa School decorate the entrance hall and inner rooms, shaping how visitors experience the space. These works form a key part of the temple's artistic character and daily visual environment.
The temple is open daily and welcomes visitors to explore the main temple area at a modest cost. The grounds are easy to navigate on foot and offer clear views of all key spaces.
The Shoin building contains fusuma sliding panels with paintings designed to reveal their full beauty only under specific natural light. The artworks shift in appearance depending on the time of day and how light enters the room.
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