The temple of Jakko-in, a nunnery of the Tendai sect is located in the Ohara district of Sakyo-ku, Kyoto. It ranks with the Sanzen-in as a famous scenic temple of Ohara. Jakko-in is believed to have been built in around the 7th century by Shotoku Taishi, son of the Emperor Yomei, in memory of his father.

History

In 1185, Emperor Antoku drowned himself in the straits of Dannoura on the Sea of Suo, together with the Heike army, who were defeated in the Battle of Dannoura.

Jakko-in is well known as a place where the Empress Kenrei Mon'in lived in seclusion.

Kenrei Mon'in Tokuko (1155-1213) was a daughter of Taira no Kiyomori (the chief of Heike clan, 1118-1181) and an empress of Emperor Takakura. She was rescued from her attempted suicide when the Heike clan was destroyed by Minamoto no Yoshitsune (a younger brother of the chief of Genji clan, 1159-1189) at the naval battle of Dan-no-ura. She lost her whole family including her eight-year-old son, Emperor Antoku, and she entered the nunnery here and spent the rest of her life in the temple to pray for the souls of her family.

As a result, since its foundation in 594 the head of this temple has always been a priestess.

The 2.5 m wooden standing statue of Jizo-Bosatsu enshrined here has been designated an Important Cultural Property by the Japanese government. The Main Hall was unfortunately lost to fire in May 2000, and the statue was partially burned in the flames.

The main hall was set fire on May 9, 2000 and rebuilt in June 2005. The principal Buddhist image is also newly built and modeled the original image faithfully as well.

Alias Name

Seikozan / Gokankyo-gosho / Oharagu Jakk (seikozan / gokankyo-gosho / oharagu jakko-in)

Address

676 Kusao-cho Ohara Sakyo-ku.
Tel: 075-744-2341 | Fax: 075-744-3341