• The Daikakuji temple was originally the detached palace of Emperor Saga. In 876 he designated that it was converted to a Shingon Buddhist Temple as an expression of his devotion to the Shingon teachings and to the founder of the Sect, St. Kobo Daishi. You will find many famous Fusuma paintings of the Momoyama period.
  Shinden : About 400 years ago the Shinden of the Kvoto Palace was moved to the grounds of the Daikakuji temple in Saga. In front of the Shinden is a garden in the tradition of the Imperial Garden plan with the wild orange to the right and the plum tree to the left. The sliding door painting was drawn Sanraku Kano and has tree peonies and the red and white plum blossoms.
  Shingyoden : About 1,200 years ago the country was plagued with a disastrous epidemic. At the suggestion of St. Kobo Daishi, the Emperor Saga began copying in calligraphy the Hannya Shingyo Sutra as a form of prayer. It is said that the country was quickly delivered from the gripe of plague. The scriptur copied by the Emperor Saga is kept on the Shingyoden.
  Shoshinden : There are also designated as important cultural properties. The remote room on the east side is called Okanmurino-ma. The Shohekiga in this room was painted by Sanraku Kano and Shiko Watanabe. The hawk painted in India ink attracts peoples' attention because of its uniqueness as a motif. A hare is painted on the wooden plants of the paper partition doors of the oblong room on the east side.
  Osawa Pond (Teiko) : About 1,200 years ago, when the Emperor Saga established the Daikakuji temple as his detached palace, he had a garden pond made on the same lines as Lake Tungting in China. It was named Osawa pond, and is said to be the cradle of lkebana Saga .

Official entrance of Edo period		Shinden is a garden in tradition of Imperial Garden
Sliding door painting was drawn by Sanraku Kano			Mieido hall
Main hall "Godaido" was built by Emperor Saga	Front garden of Godai and Shinden hall	China gate in front of Godai hall	Mieido hall enshrines image of Emperor Saga
From Shinden to Godai hall	Osawa Pond from Godai hall	Shoshinden hall	Tea house in Osawa pond
Osawa Pond: 1,200 years ago, when Emperor Saga established Daikakuji temple as his detached palace, he had a garden pond made on same lines as Lake Tungting in China			Buddhist tower

2009/10/01