Shōkō-ji, Buddhist temple in Okaya, Japan.
Shōkō-ji is a Zen temple in Okaya with traditional wooden architecture featuring curved roofs and buildings that blend into the natural landscape. The grounds include multiple structures such as the main hall and carefully designed garden areas meant for meditation and spiritual practice.
The temple was founded in 1382 during the Muromachi period and experienced multiple reconstructions following fires, including a major restoration after the 1394 incident. These repeated rebuildings shaped the site's resilience through the centuries.
The temple belongs to the Rinzai school of Japanese Zen Buddhism and functions as a headquarters for over ninety affiliated religious institutions.
Visitors enter through marked pathways lined with sacred elements that lead to various structures across the grounds. These routes allow for a natural exploration of the temple complex and its tranquil garden spaces.
The Hattō hall contains a ceiling painting of a dragon by Kanō Mitsunobu representing the spread of Buddhist teachings. This artistic element shows the temple's importance as a spiritual center for the region's Buddhist tradition.
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