Tōfuku-ji Temple

se_0.0

Tofukuji, Japan's largest Zen temple and the head temple of the Tofukuji School of the Rinzai sect, earns its name from combining a character each from Nara's Todaiji and Kofukuji. Its vast grounds rival those of Todaiji, and its grandeur matches that of Kofukuji, as stated in its foundation stone. Established in 1236 during the Kamakura period by Michiie Kujō, it has been repeatedly destroyed and rebuilt after fires, preserving structures such as the Sanmon gate and Zendō from the Muromachi period, exemplifying classic Kamakura-era Zen temple architecture and layout. The seven buildings of the temple compound include the prominent national treasure, the Sanmon, the oldest of its kind among Japanese Zen temples, rebuilt in 1425 after three fires, showcasing Zen style architecture with a two-tiered structure accessible via stairs on either side. Following the Sanmon, a large path leads to the Buddha hall, housing a standing Buddha statue, rebuilt in the 20th century following a fire. The Abbot's Quarters were reconstructed in 1890 post-fire and feature a garden designed by Mirei Shigemori in 1939, known for its Karesansui (dry landscape) style. With gardens designed in the cardinal directions, each representing significant life events of Siddhartha Gautama, the temple's east garden is notable for reusing foundation stones to depict the Big Dipper. The south garden, a typical Karesansui, uses white stones and large rocks to symbolize water and islands, respectively, while the west and north gardens feature azaleas, sand, and a pattern of moss and stones. These gardens, intended for viewing from the hall or rooms, reflect a distinct Japanese cultural aspect of creating separate spaces to appreciate landscaped nature within the confines of temple walls.