Jigen-do

Jigen-do Review

Tenkai (1536-1643), the first abbot of Rinno Temple, has his own place of honor at Tosho-gu: the Jigen-do. The hall, which was founded in 848, now holds many of Rinno Temple's artistic treasures. To reach it, take the path opposite the south entrance to Futara-san Shrine that passes between the two subtemples called Jogyo-do and Hokke-do. Connected by a corridor, these two buildings are otherwise known as the Futatsu-do (Twin Halls) of Rinno Temple and are designated a National Cultural Property. The path between the Twin Halls leads roughly south and west to the Jigen-do compound; the hall itself is at the north end of the compound, to the right. At the west end sits the Go-oden, a shrine to Prince Yoshihisa Kitashirakawa (1847-95), the last of the imperial princes to serve as abbot. Behind it are his tomb and the tombs of his 13 predecessors.