Shōren-in Temple
青蓮院 · 히가시야마구
Buddhist temple in Kyoto, Japan
Contents
8 sections · tap a section for its opening lines1Orientation1:55
Welcome to Shōren-in, one of the most serene and historically significant temples in Kyoto. Located at the foot of the Higashiyama mountains, Shōren-in is a 'Monzeki' temple, meaning it was traditionally headed by members of the…
Listen in the app2The Giant Camphor Trees: Sentinels of Time1:40
Your journey begins before you even cross the threshold, as you stand beneath the canopies of the five giant camphor trees. These trees were reportedly planted in the 12th century by the monk Shinran, the founder of Jodo Shinshu…
Listen in the app3The Kachoden Hall: Art and the Garden Frame1:43
Entering the temple buildings, we find ourselves in the Kachoden, the 'Hall of Flowers and Birds.' This is a formal reception room that showcases the exquisite aesthetics of the Monzeki tradition. The sliding doors (Fusuma) are…
Listen in the app4Ryujinchi Pond: Soami’s Water Mastery1:35
We now move to the edge of the Ryujinchi, or 'Dragon Heart Pond.' This pond is the centerpiece of the garden and was designed by Soami, the famous landscape architect and artist of the Muromachi period. The pond is shaped like a…
Listen in the app5The Shishinden and the Imperial Legacy1:39
Walking further into the complex, we encounter the Shishinden, the Main Hall. This building is a rare example of imperial palace architecture within a temple setting. …
Listen in the app6The Bamboo Grove and the Bell Tower1:31
A path leads from the pond garden up the slope toward a small, dense bamboo grove. While not as large as the famous grove in Arashiyama, this section of Shōren-in offers a more intimate and quiet encounter with the sounds of the…
Listen in the app7The Evening Blue Light: Shogyo Mujo in LEDs1:38
We conclude our tour by discussing Shōren-in's most famous modern tradition: the seasonal evening illumination. During several weeks in the spring and autumn, the temple remains open after dark, and the gardens are transformed by…
Listen in the app8Closing1:06
As you step back out past the giant camphor trees and into the streets of Kyoto, I hope you carry a sense of the 'imperial peace' that defines Shōren-in. We have walked through the halls where Emperors once took refuge,…
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What is Shōren-in Temple?
Shōren-in Temple is a place in 히가시야마구 with 8 story sections on Tellby. You can read the opening of each section on this page; the sound plays in the app.
| Location | 히가시야마구 |
|---|---|
| Type | Heritage |
| Story sections | 8 |
| Total length | 12 min 47 s in all |
| Text language | English |
| Coordinates | 35.0073, 135.7832 |
| Last updated |
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