New Buddhist hall on Kyoto mountain features prized deity painting
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An aerial view of Shorenin temple’s newly constructed Seiryuden hall in Kyoto’s Yamashina Ward (Mari Endo) |
Shorenin temple’s new Seiryuden hall (Blue dragon hall) in Kyoto’s Yamashina Ward will be open to the public Oct. 8 through Dec. 23.
The painting, called “Fudomyoo Nidojizo” (Blue guardian deity with two youths) and restored by the Kyoto National Museum, will be housed in one of the structures of the hall.
“Fudomyoo Nidojizo” depicts an enraged blue deity in front of a raging fire. It is considered the pinnacle of Buddhist paintings from the Heian Period (794-1185) and is one of the nation’s three most prominent works depicting such deities.
The main structure of Shorenin temple is located in the ancient capital’s Higashiyama Ward. The temple is one of the main facilities of the Tendai Buddhist sect and has connections with the imperial family.
The new hall includes a martial arts training center formerly used by the Kyoto prefectural police, relocated from central Kyoto. It also boasts a 1,046-square-meter deck about five times larger than that of the renowned Kiyomizudera temple.
Sitting 200 meters above sea level, the deck offers a spectacular panoramic view of the city. Source: http://ajw.asahi.com/article/behind_news/social_affairs/AJ201410040052