Emperor Kameyama's Prayer at the Founding of Nanzenji
The Draft Prayer for Zenrinji in the Hand of Emperor Kameyama (dated the fifth day of the third month of 1299) (亀山天皇宸翰禅林寺御起願文案〈永仁七年三月五日〉) is a draft prayer in the hand of Emperor (later Cloistered Emperor) Kameyama, owned by Nanzenji in Nanzenji Fukuchi-cho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City, which in 1953 was designated a National Treasure.
The Agency for Cultural Affairs records one handscroll dated 1299, owned by Nanzenji.
Nanzenji explains that Kameyama wrote this prayer, entitled the Zenrin Zenji Kigan-ji, in his own hand at the founding of Nanzenji.
The Prayer
According to Nanzenji, Kameyama revered the Zen master Mukan Fumon and turned his detached palace into a Zen temple in 1291. One passage of the prayer reads that the compassionate vow to benefit all beings is the essential path to guiding them.
Nanzenji interprets the emperor's wish as that, through founding the temple, kind-hearted people would grow who could let all things live fully as they are.
What to Look For
Nanzenji sees in the prayer the emperor's great compassion in the face of the many soldiers, friend and foe, killed in the Mongol invasions.
The temple notes that it was first called Zenrin Zenji after the detached palace, but soon after this prayer was given it was renamed Nanzenji, on the advice of Kian Soen, to signify a temple transmitting Southern Chan.
Visiting the Draft Prayer for Zenrinji in the Hand of Emperor Kameyama (dated the fifth day of the third month of 1299)
The prayer is owned by Nanzenji and is not always on display; check the temple's announcements.
Q&A
- When was it designated a National Treasure?
- On 31 March 1953.
- Why was it written?
- Emperor Kameyama wrote it at the founding of Nanzenji.
- What does a key passage say?
- That the vow to benefit all beings is the path to guiding them.
- How did the temple get its name?
- It was renamed from Zenrin Zenji to Nanzenji soon after.
- When was it written?
- In 1299.
Basic Information
| Name | Draft Prayer for Zenrinji in the Hand of Emperor Kameyama (dated the fifth day of the third month of 1299) (亀山天皇宸翰禅林寺御起願文案〈永仁七年三月五日〉) |
|---|---|
| Location | Nanzenji, Nanzenji Fukuchi-cho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture |
| Designation | National Treasure (historical document) |
| Year Designated | Designated 1953/3/31 (Showa 28) |
| Quantity | 1 handscroll |
| Dimensions | Not recorded in the Agency for Cultural Affairs database |
| Owner | Nanzenji |
| Public Access | Not always on display |
References
- Agency for Cultural Affairs Database: Emperor Kameyama's Prayer (Japanese)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/201/804
- Nanzenji: Zenrinji Prayer (Japanese)
- https://nanzenji.or.jp/index.php?cID=287
- Nanzenji: History (Japanese)
- https://nanzenji.or.jp/about_rinzaishu/history
Last verified: 2026.09.30