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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. The Five-story pagoda of Tō-ji stands 54.8 m high, and is the tallest wooden tower in Japan. The pagoda has been, and continues to be, a symbol of Kyoto.

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. To-ji became one of Kyoto's most important temples.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 well-known Buddhist priest was put in charge of Tō-ji in 823 by order of Emperor Saga. The temple's principal image is of Yakushi Nyorai, the Medicine Buddha.

City skyline with Toji temple Kyoto 

The South wall and the temple's tall pagoda can be seen from a distance

To-ji Temple is surrounded by

four gates in four directions

The south gate(Nandaimon) and

the Five-story pagoda

Approaching To-jis Southern Entrance

About thirty years after the temple's

establishment, Kobo Daishi

(774–835), 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

The temple grounds feature a garden and pond, in which turtles and koi swim.

The grounds also house an academically rigorous private school, Rakunan, from which many students are sent to elite universities

Hyotan pond garden in the precincts of the Tōji-in Temple 

The Five-story pagoda and the Hyotan-ike (Gourd Pond)

The tallest wooden tower in Japan and dates from the Edo period

An egret in the pond

The eastern great egret (Ardea alba modesta), a white heron in the genus Ardea, is a subspecies of the great egret (A. alba)

Its bill is black in the breeding season and yellow at other times. The eastern great egret can be distinguished from other white egrets and herons in Asia and Australia by its very long neck, one and a half times as long as its own body

For about 500 years, liturgical dancers in Japan have imitated the movements and appearance of the white egret. 

Shirasagi-no Mai (White Heron Dance)

The ground floor of the pagoda is irregularly opened to the public and houses four smaller Buddha statues

Inside are placed the images of Four Buddha and their followers, the eight great Bosatsu. Entrance into the pagoda itself is permitted only a few days a year.

Kotozuka, Eiichi (1906-) Toji Tempe

Five-Storey Pagoda

Text: InternetPictures: Internet Nicoleta LeuCopyright: All the images belong to their authors

Presentation: Sanda Foişoreanuwww.slideshare.net/michaelasanda

Sound: Japan Instrumental Music 2016