Kakushoin Hokyointo Stone Stupa

A Stone Stupa at Daikakuji's Gate

The Kakushoin Hokyointo Stone Stupa (覚勝院宝篋印塔) is a stone hokyointo stupa of around the early Muromachi period (1333 to 1392) in the grounds of Kakushoin, at the gate of Daikakuji in Saga, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto, and was designated an Important Cultural Property on February 9, 1960. It stands on a stone base (Agency for Cultural Affairs).

The Agency for Cultural Affairs records it as a stone hokyointo with a base, one structure, owned by Kakushoin.

A Sub-temple at the Gate of Daikakuji

According to the Kyoto City Tourism Association, Kakushoin belongs to the Daikakuji branch of Shingon Buddhism and was founded as a sub-temple of Daikakuji in the Shohei era (1346 to 1370). Its principal image is an eleven-headed Kannon.

The temple describes itself as the only sub-temple still standing before the gate of Daikakuji, the former Saga imperial palace (Kakushoin).

Why It Was Designated

The Kakushoin Hokyointo Stone Stupa was designated an Important Cultural Property in 1960. The Agency for Cultural Affairs records it as a stone hokyointo of around the early Muromachi period.

The hokyointo is a stone stupa form derived from towers for enshrining the Hokyoin dharani sutra: base, body, stepped cap and finial are stacked, with horn-like ornaments rising from the four corners of the cap.

What to Look For

The Kakushoin Hokyointo Stone Stupa is a stone stupa standing on a base (Agency for Cultural Affairs). The stupa sits on top of this base.

Standing at Daikakuji's gate, it can easily be seen on a visit to Daikakuji (Kyoto City Tourism Association).

Visiting Kakushoin

According to the Kyoto City Tourism Association, Kakushoin is open to worshippers, though the inner sanctum of the main hall is closed. The address is 2 Saga Daikakuji Monzen Nobori-cho, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto; telephone 075-881-5788. Take Kyoto Bus 61, 71 or 81 to Daikakuji (about a 1-minute walk), or city bus 91 or 28 to Daikakuji.