Ten-Yen Temple

Tuesday afternoon we visited the Byodoin Temple. It was built in 1053 and of the original complex the Phoenix Hall or Hoo-do (phoenix in Japanese) as it's known is one of the few wooden buildings in the world that has survived almost one thousand years. There are many treasures there and the Hoo-Do (Phoenix Hall) is a designated Japanese National Treasure and UNESCO World Heritage Site.

To quote from the multi-language handout: The garden has been designated a National Historic Site and Place of Scenic Beauty incorporating the Jodo style of "borrowed landscape" or classic Heian period garden that includes, well-groomed wave sand patterns, flat bridge and arched bridge. . .In addition, in Byodoin Temple, many cultural artifacts have been passed down from the Heian Period, including the Painting of Descent of Amitabha in Yamato-e style, a temple bell, and a pair of phoenix statues. In particular, the 52 bodies of Unchu Kuyo Bosatsu (Buddhist Saints holding a mass in the clouds) are the only surviving Buddha statues from the 11th century carved of a free but delicate nature, riding in the clouds and playing a variety of musical instruments."

The reason for the title of Ten-Yen Temple: The Hoo-Do is depicted on the obverse of the Japanese ten-yen coin and replica of a phoenix is on reverse of the 10,000 yen note.




 We toured the museum, looked at the 2.5 ton temple bell and visited the Hoo-do. Visitors to the Hoo-Do are restricted to 50 per tour, must purchase an additional admission ticket, can't touch anything and must remain quiet so our guide couldn't translate but there was a good English handout that described the various attractions.

The grounds of the entire Byodoin were immaculate and the trees were all well groomed to maintain their size and shape.

We happened upon a four-man crew working on one of the pine trees, thinning the needles and trimming off new growth.

Back at our flowery ryokan I noticed the flower arrangements in the lobby, alcoves and even the tokonoma in our room had been changed.

After a good bath we assembled for another kaiseki dinner and some well deserved rest.

I think I could come to like this style of travel.