Ryuko-ji, Buddhist temple in Bunkyo, Japan
Ryuko-ji is a Buddhist temple in Bunkyo featuring a wooden worship hall with white plaster walls and stone guardian lions positioned on the tiled roof. The Niomon gate serves as the main entrance, framing the approach to the principal hall that was rebuilt in 1832.
Founded in 1337, this temple emerged as a memorial site connected to Buddhist priest Nichiren, who survived an execution attempt during his confinement here. The event became central to the temple's spiritual identity and importance in the region.
Locals and visitors come to the temple as a site of Buddhist worship, where ritual purification areas and the distinctive Niomon gate mark the transition into sacred space. The main hall with its white plaster walls and roof guardian lions serves as the visual and spiritual heart of daily practice.
The temple sits north of Fukashi-jinja shrine and the Performing Arts Center, accessed by following a path off Ohashi-dori street. The grounds are walkable and open to visitors who want to explore the quiet surroundings.
Two demon guardian statues mark the entrance, with one figure extending its arm in a stopping gesture that greets arriving visitors. This distinctive pose often catches the attention of those arriving and adds an unusual touch to the traditional temple entrance.
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