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Daitoku-ji and Koto-in Kyoto 大徳寺・高桐院 京都 part 1
2013.05.29 [PLACES,WHAT'S NEW]
Daitoku-ji and Koto-in Kyoto 大徳寺・高桐院 京都 part 1
The Temple of Samurai, Daitoku-ji and Koto-in / 大徳寺 高桐院
In the northern Kyoto districts of Murasakino lies the tranquil temple of Daitoku-ji. The Daitoku-ji was
established around 1315, towards the end of the Kamakura period, but destroyed by fire in the Onin War
of 1474. Daitoku-ji was soon rebuilt under the direction of the famed priest Ikkyu Sojun. Some 21 smaller Momoyama period sub-temples grace the main Zen temples’ precincts, and are dedicated to a number
of the military class.
Toyotomi Hideyoshi had one temple, the Souken-in quickly established to perform funeral and memorial
services for his master, Oda Nobunaga. There are temples dedicated to Ishida Mitsunari, Kuroda Nagamasa
and others, however, only a few are available for viewing, such as the Daisen-in and the Koto-in.
Hosokawa Tadaoki, the powerful daimyo and master of the tea ceremony erected one such temple in 1601,
the Koto-in, as both a clan temple, and in memory of his father, Fujitaka. The temple features the Ihoku,
a recreation of the Hosokawa’s respected great Tea Master, Sen no Rikyu’s residence. The path leading to
the reception hall is especially beautiful, made of closely laid stepping stones, lined by rich moss, maple trees
and bamboo groves. The garden surrounding the temple is also renown for it’s year round allure and
especially for the autumnal leaves.
京都市の北部、紫野(むらさきの)に位置する大徳寺。
開創は、鎌倉時代末期の1315年。一旦は、室町時代におこった応仁の乱で荒廃してしまいましたが、
一休和尚(=あの一休さん)が復興を果たします。境内には、桃山時代、豊臣秀吉が織田信長の葬儀を営み
弔うために建てられた「総見院」をはじめ、織田信長、石田三成、黒田長政など、戦国武将らが建てた21の塔頭
(禅寺の敷地内に建てられた小寺院)があることでも有名な大徳寺ですが、常時拝観できるのは、大仙院、高桐院、
竜源院、瑞峯院のみとなっています。その中でも、高桐院(こうとういん)は、1601年、戦国大名であり、茶人
としても知られる細川忠興(三斎)が、父・藤孝(幽斎)の菩提寺として建立したもので、竹や紅葉に囲まれた
石畳の参道、千利休の邸宅を移築したといわる書院「意北軒(いほくけん)」、美しい庭を見ることのできる客殿
など、見どころが満載です。
The Path That Moved The Hollywood Director
ハリウッドの名監督も感激した高桐院の参道
The approach to the Koto-in from the front gate to the main prayer hall follows a 50 meter long path of
carefully laid stepping stones. This most beautiful walkway was planned to take advantage of the early
summer contrasts of green bamboo, rich moss and lush green maple trees, and again in autumn as the
leaves change to bright red, orange and yellow. Famed movie director Steven Spielberg was said to have
been captivated by this scene on his visit to Kyoto and the Koto-in.
まずは、高桐院の表門から本堂の玄関口に続く参道へ。約50メートルつづく石畳の参道は、見事なまでの
美しさです。新緑の季節には、竹や紅葉、楓(かえで)、苔などの緑のコントラストが幻想的な雰囲気を
生み出しています。あのスティーブン・スピルバーグ監督が高桐院を訪ねた折、この息を呑むような風景の
とりこになったのだとか。名監督をも感動させた高桐院の参道は、必見です。
(Japan World Writer / Hideki Honda)
>> NEXT
The Temple of Samurai, Daitoku-ji and Koto-in(Kyoto) / 大徳寺 高桐院(京都)_02
The Gorgeous Garden of Grace / 散紅葉(ちりもみじ)の庭園
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