Rimpa - temple of art gallery

Western world seems to be in Easter holiday over this weekend this year. Nothing related to that, but birth of Shakyamuni or Buddha is April 8.

Kennin-ji temple is said to be the first Zen temple in Kyoto, founded by monk Eisai. Eisai is also known for introducing green tea to Japan from Sung dynasty of China, where he had undertaken Zen teaching in 12th century. This temple also seems to have nurtured painters old and new, the most famous among them being representative of Rimpa school of Tawaraya Sotatsu. Even though the original is now stored in Kyoto National Museum, one of the most famous works of Sotatsu "The Wind and Thunder Gods" was originally at Kennin-ji, and its precise replica made with camera giant Cannon is on display at this Rinzai Zen temple. And quite unique thing about Kennin-ji is that photos are allowed to all the paintings, gardens, and buildings in the premises.

The Wind and Thunder Gods, by Tawaraya Sotatsu, 03-Apr-2015

Tawaraya Sotatsu was a merchant painter and Kyoto native, while Kaiho Yusho was from samurai family, whose master Asai clan was defeated by Oda clan in warring period and Yusho was solo survivor of his family. He abandoned samurai (there might not be any other way to survive than that) and became Buddhist monk at Tofuku-ji temple in Kyoto, which is also Rinzai Zen.

Flowers and Birds, by Kaiho Yusho, 03-Apr-2015

Cloud Dragon, by Kaiho Yusho, 03-Apr-2015

The old paintings were related to Buddhism or painted for Buddhist temples as patron, so it is natural for them to be on display on the ancient institutions. But some of the old Buddhist temples now display contemporary artists' works. The works of Toba Mika were painted for Kennin-ji on the occasion of 800th year of monk Eisai's passing in 2014. These paintings are not even landscape of Japan, but of Vietnam. The motif is different, but canvas is traditional Japanese sliding doors.

The calm, by contemporary Toba Mika, 03-Apr-2015

Twin Dragons were also new work. This huge painting was commissioned on the occasion of 800th year of the temple's founding in 2002. The motif is same, but impression is different from old works.

Twin Dragons, drawn on the ceiling of Dharma Hall with size of 11.4m by 15.7m, 03-Apr-2015

Dharma Hall (Hatto) and Hojo are connected with corridor, and you can view the huge ground of temple complex from there. In this season, you may happen to view cherry blossoms in full bloom.

Cherry blossoms seen from the corridor between Hojo and Hatto, 03-Apr-2015