ABOUT HOUNJI

~ Brief history of Hounji Temple ~

The Hounji Temple grounds used to have a pond in the garden located to the south of Hokoin erected by Dajodaijin (supreme minister) Fujiwara no Kaneie in 991. After Hokoin burned down, the place went to ruin and became a forest.
The Onin War broke out in 1467, and this place became a battlefield. In Kyoto, society became unsettled, and people feared the demons appearing in this place.
In 1567, the holy priest Genrenja Nenyo calmed the demons and built a hermitage in this place for people with disturbed minds, which was the start of Hounji Temple. Later, the holy priest prayed to Amitabha every day for the salvation of lost souls and relief of the people.
In 1604, the holy priest died during the restoration of Hounji Temple.
In 1616, the second Honrenja Genyo, a holy priest, erected Hounji Temple. Since then, the name of the temple was changed from Shimizu-an and officially called Seisuizan Senshinin Hounji Temple. After that, Kawaramachi Dori (street) was improved and maintained, and the town flourished. This place is called Shimizucho, which originated from the sango (title) of Hounji Temple.
In 1788, the temple burned down in a great fire.
In 1819, the 18th Kairenja Kenyo, a holy priest, rebuilt the temple. According to the chronicle of origin, during the reconstruction, an elderly couple donated the Kanzeon Bosatsu (merciful goddess), which was the same figure as the one at Kiyomizu Temple, and the hall dedicated to the Kannon was erected. (The Kannon was named Fukuju Kanzeon Bosatsu.)
In addition, a priest found and enshrined the Kikuno spiritual stone in the precincts. The stone escaped the great fire of 1864 and has been preserved to today.

Outlines

Sango (title)
Seisuizan Senshinin

Religious sect
The Jodo sect

Address
364-1 Shimizucho, Nijoagaru, Kawaramachi Dori, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto

Tel
075-241-2331

Admission fee
Admission fee: Free

Main Hall

The main hallThe main hall enshrining the statue of Amida Nyorai as the principle deity was rebuilt in 1818. The Chinese character “water” is written on a roof tile.

History

988

This was the residence of Kanpaku Dajo-daijin (supreme minister and chancellor) Fujiwara no Kaneie, Nijodai.

991

After Kaneie became a priest, Hokoin Temple was built on the site of his residence.

The temple was rebuilt several times. During the Kamakura period, Hokoin Temple was closed.

1467–1477

Onin War

1567

The holy priest Genrenja Nenyo built a hermitage in this place with a spring, which was the beginning of Hounji Temple.

1616

The holy priest Honrenja Genyo erected a hall.

1788

The hall burned down in the great Tenmei fire.

1819

Rebuilt by the holy priest Kairenja Kenyo.

1863

After a coup on August 18, Kusaka Genzui (1840–1864), a feudal retainer of the Choshu domain, was confined in this temple.

1988

Restoration of the hall of Kikuno Daimyoujin.