Kōgaku-ji, Buddhist temple in Koshu, Japan
Kōgaku-ji is a Buddhist temple nestled at the base of a mountain slope in Koshu, featuring traditional wooden gates, meditation halls, and gardens with ponds and waterfalls. The layout flows across multiple levels, blending architectural structures with the surrounding natural landscape.
Founded in 1380 by Zen master Bassui Tokushō, the temple received imperial designation as a prayer site during the turbulent Nanboku-chō period civil wars. This official status secured its role as a spiritual center during an unstable era.
The temple houses a National Treasure: a 13th-century hanging scroll showing Daruma in red robes, alongside portrait paintings of Zen prelates displayed in its halls. These artworks reflect the spiritual and artistic heritage preserved at this site.
Visitors can explore the temple grounds and participate in meditation sessions and religious ceremonies held throughout the year. It helps to check in advance which activities are scheduled to plan your visit accordingly.
Archaeological studies of the temple gardens revealed intricate arrangements of rocks, water features, and landscaping from the early Edo period. These carefully planned garden compositions show how past design principles and natural elements were woven into a cohesive whole.
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