Jingoji Daishido Hall

Kukai's Hall at Takao

The Jingoji Daishido Hall (神護寺大師堂) is a Buddhist hall of the Momoyama period (1573 to 1614) at Jingoji in Umegahata Takao-cho, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto, designated an Important Cultural Property on April 17, 1902. It enshrines Kobo Daishi, the monk Kukai (Agency for Cultural Affairs, Kyoto City Tourism Association).

The Agency for Cultural Affairs records it as four bays along the left side and five along the right, three bays deep, single-storey, with a hip-and-gable (Irimoya-zukuri) shingle roof. It is owned by Jingoji.

A Temple Linked to Kukai

According to the Kyoto City Tourism Association, Jingoji is an ancient Shingon temple that began as the clan temple of the Wake family. Kukai served as its head for 14 years from 809; it later fell into ruin and was restored by the monk Mongaku at the end of the Heian period.

The principal image of the Daishi hall, a relief-carved figure of Kobo Daishi, is designated an Important Cultural Property together with the building. The temple chronicle records that the sculptor Joki made it in 1302, and it is regarded as a masterpiece of Kamakura sculpture, rare in Japan as a relief carving yet full of depth (Kyoto City Tourism Association).

Why It Was Designated

The Jingoji Daishido Hall was designated an Important Cultural Property in 1902. It is a Momoyama hall with a hip-and-gable shingle roof, with four bays along one side and five along the other (Agency for Cultural Affairs).

What to Look For

The Jingoji Daishido Hall is four bays long on the left side and five on the right, and three bays deep (Agency for Cultural Affairs); compare the two side walls from outside to see the difference.

The relief figure of Kobo Daishi inside is shown during a special opening every year from November 1 to 7 (Kyoto City Tourism Association).

Visiting the Jingoji Daishido Hall

According to the Kyoto City Tourism Association, Jingoji is open 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Take a JR bus or city bus to Takao and walk about 20 minutes. The address is 5 Umegahata Takao-cho, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto; telephone 075-861-1769. Check admission fees with the temple.