Koetsuji Temple
Koetsuji Temple, Kyoto 光悦寺
Koetsuji is a Nichiren Buddhist temple in the Takagamine district of north west Kyoto, close to Genko-an Temple, one of the so-called "Bloody Ceiling Temples" of Kyoto and Joshoji Temple, known for its associations with the Edo Period courtesan, Yoshino Tayu II (吉野太夫).
Koetsuji Temple with so-called Koetsu-gaki or gagyu-gaki bamboo fence, Takagamine, Kyoto
Koetsuji Temple, Takagamine, Kyoto
History of Koetsuji
The whole area of Takagamine was given by the shogun Ieyasu Tokugawa to the artist Honami Koetsu (1558-1637), who constructed an artist's colony here and invited many of his friends and family to come and live.
Koetsu was a master of many arts including sword polishing, calligraphy, ceramics, lacquer and the Japanese tea ceremony. Indeed, Koetsu is considered one of the three master calligraphers of the Kan-ei era (1624-1644) along with Konoe Nobutaka and Shokado Shojo.
Koetsu's interest in the tea ceremony is reflected in the layout of Koetsuji Temple, which rather than containing religious halls consists instead of a number of tea houses (seven in total) set in a strolling tea garden.
Koetsu was not a follower of one school of tea but studied with teachers from various schools including Furuta Oribe and Oda Urakusai, a brother of Oda Nobunaga.
The Taikyo-an tea house dates from 1915 and was built as a replica of the tea house where Koetsu spent his last days. It consists of a classic 4.5 tatami room with tokonoma and clay floor. Other tea houses in the temple grounds include: Ryojakuken, Tokuyu-an, Honami-an, Daikyo-an and Kigyu-an. The grounds have a number of elegant stone lanterns and bamboo fences named after the great man.
After Koetsu's death in 1637, the land became a Nichiren Temple which contains the grave of Koetsu and several of his family.
Koetsuji Temple is well-known for its lovely garden which is particularly popular during the autumn leaf viewing season in Kyoto and for its cherry blossoms as is nearby Genko-an. At the end of the garden there are views down over Kyoto city.
Fall Colors, Koetsuji Temple, Takagamine, Kyoto
Koetsu's Grave, Koetsuji Temple, Takagamine, Kyoto
Koetsuji Access - how to get to Koetsuji in Kyoto
Koetsuji
29 Takagamine Koetsu-cho
Kita-ku, Kyoto 603-8466
Tel: 075 491 1392
Hours: 8am-5pm; No admission from November 10 to 13
Admission: 300 yen.
From Kyoto Station take a Kyoto subway to Kitaoji Station and then a #Kita 1 (北1) Kyoto bus from Kitaoji Bus Terminal and get off at Takagaminegenkoan-mae bus stop. From here the temple is a two-minute walk. Alternatively, take a #6 bus from Nijo Station and Shijo Omiya. There is a hiking path through the mountains to this area from near Kinkakuji Temple.
Koetsuji Temple, Takagamine, Kyoto
Nearby Koetsuji
Koetsuji Temple is in a fairly remote area of north west Kyoto, north of both Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Pavilion) and Imamiya Shrine and south of Shodenji Temple. Koetsuji is very close to Genko-an Temple and Joshoji.
Close by is the Ryokan Nenrinbo if you wish to stay in this quiet, rather out-of-the way part of Kyoto.
View of Kyoto from Koetsuji Temple, Takagamine
Book Hotel Accommodation in Kyoto Near Koetsuji
Books on Japan & Japanese Temples
Koetsuji Temple in the Takagamine district of north west Kyoto was once the artist colony of the noted Edo period artists and tea master, Honami Koetsu (1558-1637).
