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The Toji Temple is a listed UNESCO World Heritage Site where it literally means "East Temple" and dates from 796. It was built during the Heian period after the country moved its capital city to Kyoto during the late 700s. When it was newly established, the Toji temple stood alongside the "Rashomon", the gate to the Heian capital (i.e. Kyoto). Fires and wars during the 16th century destroyed most of the temple buildings. One survivor is the Kodo (Lecture Hall), which has survived intact since it was built in 1491. The others were rebuilt, including the Kondo (Main Hall) in 1603

Established by imperial edict in 796 AD and named Kyo-o-gokoku-ji, Toji was built to guard the city. It is more commonly known as Toji (Eastern Temple) because it once had a partner, Saiji (Western Temple), and the two stood alongside the Rashomon, the gate to the Heian capital. These were the only two temples that Emperor Kammu permitted to be built in the city, for he had had enough of the powerful Buddhists during his days in Nara. In 823, Emperor Saga gave the temple to the priest Kukai (Kobo Daishi), who founded the Shingon sect of Buddhism. To-ji became one of Kyoto's most important temples.

To-ji Temple is surrounded by 4

gates in 4 directions

The south gate(Nandaimon)

Nishi-mon (West Gate)

Nandai-mon The south gate

Nandai-mon The south gate

Nandai-mon

Nandai-mon

In the centre of the temple complex, stand the Kodo, the lecture hall. The original building was built in 835 but having suffered substantial damage in natural calamities, the structure had to undergo several repairs. The present building dates back to 1491. Next door is the Kondo (Hall of the Medicine Buddha), which is the main hall and the largest building of the temple. The Five-story pagoda of Tō-ji stands 54.8 m high, and is the tallest wooden tower in Japan. It dates from the Edo period, when it was rebuilt by order of the third Tokugawa Shogun, Iemitsu. The pagoda has been, and continues to be, a symbol of Kyoto. Entrance into the pagoda itself is permitted only a few days a year

The Jikido or refectory

This building stands behind the Kodo and is free to enter. Originally the Jikido was the temple refectory. Today you can buy souvenirs and store your baggage here.

The Jikido or refectory

Like many of the other buildings, the Jikido has burned down twice in its history and the current building was erected in 1930

Mieido (Daishido), dedicated to Kobo Daishi, also called Kukai, the temple's founder, dates from 1380 and is located in a separate walled area to the west of the Kodo and Jikido. This building is free to enter.The Miedo is the former residence of Kukai

Mieido (Daishido) exterior Shrine details

And nearby is the Homotsukan Museum, Toji Temple's treasure house, which displays several large Buddhist statues and other important artifacts. However, the museum is only open from late March to late May and again from late September to late November

Heian era six-meter Thousand-Armed Kannon

Womb World Mandala 2nd half of the 9thc, hanging scroll, color on silk

Statue of the monk Kukai (Kobo Daishi)

The Kodo, or Lecture Hall, was built by Kukai in 835. Destroyed in the fire of 1486 was rebuilt in 1491 according to the original style

The Kodo (Lecture Hall)

Kodo roof detail

Kodo roof details

The Kodo (Lecture Hall)The inside the Kodo are placed in line with the

'Mandala', which represents the world of

enlightenment. Dainichi Nyorai is the

Japanese for Vairocana, the embodiment of

Dharmakaya and universal aspect of the historical

Gautama Buddha.

They are two of the four Shintennō, a group of fierce-looking guardian deities who protect the four cardinal directions of Buddha’s realm

Kōmokuten sees through evil, punishes evil, and encourages aspirations for enlightenment.

Jikokuten is the Keeper of the Kingdom, the Upholder of the Country, the Protector of the World

Dainichi Nyorai flanked by the 4 Diamond World Buddhas

About thirty years after the temple's establishment, Kobo Daishi, the founder of the Shingon sect of Japanese Buddhism, was appointed head priest of Toji, and the temple became one of the most important Shingon temples besides the sect's headquarters on Mount Koya. Kobo Daishi also added many of the large wooden buildings that stand on the grounds today.

Zochoten, One of Four Heavenly Kings Who Guard East

Zochoten

Tamonten

Brackets in To-ji TempleKodo details

Camellia petals

The Kondo Hall, one of Toji's

original structures, is the

temple's main hall and largest

building. Destroyed by a

large fire in 1486, the

building was reconstructed in

the early Edo Period in a

contemporary architecture style

Kondo Hall

The Kondo Hall houses Toji's main object of worship, a large wooden statue of the Yakushi Buddha, flanked by his two attendants, the Nikko and Gakko Bodhisattvas.

The Kondo (main hall)

contains the Yakushi Nyorai triad (Yakushi,

Buddha of Healing,

and the two attendant

Bodhisattvas Nikko and

Gakko (Radiant Sun and Moon)

Yakushi Nyorai 1603

Toji's main object of worship, a large wooden statue of the Yakushi Buddha, flanked by his two attendants, the Nikko and Gakko Bodhisattvas. Yakushi Nyorai is supported by his 12 Yaksas

Tō-ji is often associated with Kōbō Daishi (Kūkai). Though Tō-ji began to decline in the end of Heian period, it came back into the spotlight with the rise of Daishi Shinko (worshipping of Kōbō Daishi) in Kamakura period.

The Yakushi Nyorai Buddha is flanked Sunlight (Suryaprabha, Radiant Sun) and Moonlight

(Candraprabha, Radiant Moon) Bodhisattvas

Yakushi Nyorai is supported by his twelve warriors (sometimes considered as Yaksas or titans), called Shinsho in Japan (or Daisho). They are believed to protect the faithful by presiding over the day-light hours, the months and the directions of space. They are twelve, or sometimes only nine, generals whose armies wage war on sickness

These twelve warriors are also representative of the twelve vows of Bhaisajyaguru. They are said to command the 80,000 pores of the skin, thus defending the health of the faithful in the name of Bhaisajyaguru

Although described in Sanskrit, Chinese and Japanese texts, the attributes assigned to them, as well as their colours (and sometimes their names), may vary. They are usually represented standing, in armour, in a martial or menacing stance, helmeted or with their hair in spikes, wearing a fierce expression. In Japan, after the Kamakura period (1185—1333), these twelve warriors were sometimes confused (or associated) with the twelve animals (Juni Shi) of the twelve-year cycle

Bishamonten is one of the Seven Lucky Gods of Japan, and among many other things he protects capitals, repels foreign invaders, and expels evil. The Bishamondo was built to house his statue

The Bishamondo was built in 1822 and was renovated in 1994, during the 1200th anniversary of the moving of the capital to Kyoto

Also called kaitomoshi (tsuri-dōrō) hanging lanterns are small, four-or six-sided and made in metal, copper or wood. They were introduced from China via Korea during the Nara period and were initially used in Imperial palaces

Typically aligned over a soak-away drain, rain chains (Kusari-doi) are elements of Japanese roofs. As an attractive and functional alternative to the closed downspouts so commonly seen in Europe, in Japan there are Kusari-doi (metal or plastic cups connected as a rain chain)

Wind bell

Toji Monk’s Quarters

Kannon Toji temple

Duplicate of the Toji Bonsho, the bell donated in 1348 (the original is in the Treasure House)

Bronze Lanterna with a hoju (sacred jewel)above a lotus on his top

Text: Internethttp://www.digital-images.net/Gallery/Scenic/Japan/Temples/Kyoto-3/kyoto-3.html#Toji/

Pictures: Internet Nicoleta LeuCopyright: All the images belong to their authors

Presentation: Sanda Foişoreanuwww.slideshare.net/michaelasanda

Sound: Japan Instrumental Music 2016