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SANJUSANGEN-DŌ

Temple
4.8/5
5 review

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657 Sanjusangendo Mawaricho, Kyoto, Japan
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2024
Recommended
2024

Unquestionably one of the most spectacular temples in Kyoto. It is known for the 1001 wooden statues of the goddess Kannon lined up in the main pavilion, drowned in incense fumes.
Originally built in 1164 for Emperor Go-Shirakawa by Kiyonomori no Taira before they became enemies. The temple burned down in 1249 and was rebuilt as it was in 1266. It consists of a huge hall 119 m long and 18 m wide, divided into thirty-three bays. They represent the thirty-three forms of reincarnation of Kannon Bosatsu, which gave rise to the 33 western pilgrimages and the 33 eastern pilgrimages. In the center of the hall is the famous 3-meter-high statue of Kannon with ten heads and the statue of Amida, executed by Tankei (1254), son of Unkei. Another must-see is the incredible series of 1,001 statues of Kannon, arranged in staggered rows, which were carved using the so-called yosegi technique: hollow pieces of wood were assembled and loosely carved, then other craftsmen worked on the details, before lacquering the statues. At the back are the Nijūhachi Bushū, or 28 statues of Senju Bosatsu's acolytes, which symbolize the twenty-eight constellations in esoteric Buddhism.

Myoho-in. This is the main temple of the Sanjūsangen-dō located north of the Chishaku-in. The temple is open only on rare occasions. It was originally built on the slopes of Mount Hiei. It still houses paintings by Shoei and Eitoku Kanō.

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Members' reviews on SANJUSANGEN-DŌ

4.8/5
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The ratings and reviews below reflect the subjective opinions of members and not the opinion of The Little Witty.

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flos06
Visited in november 2018
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Ce temple est vraiment particulier avec les nombreuses statues. La visite fut très agréable et est un passage obligé de Kyoto.
rnv23
Visited in june 2018
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Temple situé a coté du musée nationale de Kyoto contenant plus de 1000 statuts de bouddhas dorés et alignés dans un bâtiment longiligne. Petit musée en sortant du temple (à l’arrière des statuts) mais sans explication en anglais. Pas de photos autorisé mais petit guide en anglais disponible a la boutique pour quelques centaines de yens.
Ladygaby
Visited in june 2017
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On a vite fait de passer à côté de ce temple qui mérite vraiment une visite. Une collection incroyable de statues. Malheureusement les photos sont interdites donc on garde les souvenirs dans sa tête.
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a voir a voir a voir!
on a failli passer à coté de ce temple et puis on s'est dit pourquoi pas! et là whaouh
1001 statues alignées! splendide, à couper le souffle
Unquestionably one of the most beautiful temples Kyôto, even in Japan. Outside it has nothing exceptional (except for the fact that the longest wooden structure in the world). On the other hand inside, it is breathtaking! A huge room filled with 1001 wooden statues of the goddess Kannon, submerged in vapour of incense and a very Japanese quiet. The setting is hypnotic. Not to be missed! The only downside: photos are inside forbidden...

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