Daitoku-ji Temple

The head temple of the Daitoku-ji School of Rinzai Zen, its expansive grounds contain two branch temples and 21 sub-temples.
Founded by the priest Daito Kokushi (Shuho Myocho) in 1315, at the end of the Kamakura period, it was heavily patronized by Cloistered Emperor Hanazono and Emperor Go-Daigo. In the Muromachi period, it withdrew from the auspices of the shoguns, and became an independent Zen temple. The buildings were lost to fire in the Onin War, but rebuilt thanks to the 47th head priest, Ikkyu Sojun, affectionately known as “Ikkyu-san,” who had the patronage of rich merchants from Sakai. Donations of buildings and land by Toyotomi Hideyoshi and other daimyo (feudal lords) also helped the completion of almost all the buildings extant today by the early Edo period.
The sanmon gate, Buddha Hall, Dharma Hall, Sutra Library, and Kitchen (all Important Cultural Properties), the Abbot’s Quarters (National Treasure), and other key buildings are all preserved, presenting a textbook Zen temple layout. The karamon gate (National Treasure) is believed to have been originally located at Jurakudai Palace, and, with its magnificent carvings, is a superb example of Momoyama period architecture. The fusuma (sliding door) paintings (Important Cultural Property) by Kano Tanyu that decorate the Abbot’s Quarters are just some of the many treasures, including calligraphy, ink paintings and ancient texts, that the temple preserves.
The temple is also closely related with the tea ceremony: many tea masters, including Murata Juko and Sen-no-Rikyu, the founders of the tea ceremony, underwent religious rituals here.
Kyoto City