Hōkō-ji, Buddhist temple in Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto, Japan
Description
Hōkō-ji is a Buddhist temple and historic site in Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto. The grounds feature a bell tower with a large bronze bell, surrounded by traditional Japanese gardens and stone lanterns.
History
Toyotomi Hideyoshi founded the temple in 1595 to house a monumental Buddha statue reaching 48 meters in height within the main hall. The site was rebuilt multiple times after natural disasters, with 10,000 people forming a chain to fight the devastating fire of 1798.
Culture
The bell carries an inscription that sparked tension between the Toyotomi family and the Tokugawa shogunate in the early 1600s. The wording was interpreted as a political challenge and played a role in the conflicts of that era.
Practical
Access is through the east entrance, which leads to a pathway lined with centuries-old stone structures. The grounds can be explored on foot and are accessible for most visitors.
Did you know?
The large bell in the tower weighs over 63 tons and ranks among the heaviest in Japan. It was cast in the 17th century and now rings only on special occasions.
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