Kyoto City Museum Search

Treasures that have survived repeated fires to reach us today

Kujo Michiie made a vow to build a temple for his family, with Shoichi Kokushi as its founder. It took 19 years of construction of Tofukuji Temple, starting in 1236, and was founded by the regent Kushino Michiie, who appointed Shoichi Kokushi as the temple's founder and established the largest temple complex in Kyoto. Although most of the temple was destroyed in fires that occurred in 1319, 1334, and 1336, the former regent Ichijo Tsunemichi completed the construction of the Buddhist hall in the sixth month of the lunar year roughly corresponding with 1347, and the temple was remodeled to become the largest Zen temple in Kyoto. However, in 1881, the Buddhist hall, lecture hall, abbot's chamber, and kitchen were burned down, and were rebuilt in order from the Taisho to Showa periods. Within the temple grounds, there are a number of old buildings designated as Important Cultural Properties, including the Sanmon Gate, a national treasure and the oldest in Japan, as well as a bathhouse, toilet, and Zen hall. The Komyo-hoden Hall houses over 5,000 cultural assets from Tofukuji Temple and its sub-temples, including Buddhist statues such as the National Treasure Colored Portrait of Bujun Shiban on Silk and the Important Cultural Property Seated Amida Nyorai Statue. It is displayed at special treasure exhibitions held irregularly.