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50-567: Mii-dera is temple 14 in the Saigoku Kannon Pilgrimage . Onjō-ji was founded in the Nara period . The temple was founded in 672 following a dispute over Imperial succession . Emperor Tenji had died, and his son was killed by Tenji's brother, who was then enthroned as Emperor Tenmu . Temmu founded Onjō-ji in honor and memory of his brother. The name Mii-dera ("Temple of Three Wells") came about nearly two centuries later. It

100-511: A National Place of Scenic Beauty in 1934. However, the gardens were destroyed in a landslide following heavy rains in 1941. The original layout diagrams for the gardens were later re-discovered, and archaeological excavations found that the edges of the pond and many of the stones of the garden were preserved in good condition. Reconstruction work commenced in 2017. Saigoku Kannon Pilgrimage Download coordinates as: The Saigoku Kannon Pilgrimage ( 西国三十三所 , Saigoku Sanjūsan-sho )

150-472: A central island and a number of monoliths, as a grouping of stones forming a dry waterfall giving a sense of depth. The garden is planted with trees and flowers which reflect the composition of the paintings within the Kyakuden . The Kōjō-in and its gardens are open to the public only by reservation at least a week in advance. The Zenpō-in ( 善法院 ) was a sub-temple ( tatchū ( 塔頭 ) ) of Mii-dera, used as

200-516: A pilgrimage to various shrines, accompanied by armed monks, in order to avoid capture by the Taira. Go-Shirakawa then issued a mandate for Yoshinaka to join with Minamoto no Yukiie in "destroying Munemori and his army", as well as the entire Taira clan. The emperor bestowed upon Yoshinaka the title of Asahi Shōgun (旭 将軍). Go-Shirakawa also contributed to the Taira's defeat by attempting to persuade them to lower their guard; in 1184 he promised that if

250-469: A planned coup d'etat , known as the Shishigatani incident . The conspiracy was betrayed and all involved were punished; Go-Shirakawa was confined to Toba-in, the eponymous palace of Toba. It could be argued that Go-Shirakawa himself further increased Kiyomori's power even after their relationship fell apart. He deposed his son Rokujō in 1168 and elevated Takakura to the imperial throne. Takakura

300-628: A retreat by its highest-ranking prelates. It was located between the Three-story Pagoda and the Kyōzō library of Mii-dera, but no structures remain today. The sub-temple was noted for its very large gardens, the Zenpō-in teien ( 善法院庭園 ) , which were commented upon in several Edo Period works on famous gardens in Japan, (including the "Omi Koshiji Sakuden" and "Tsukiyama Niwazoden") and were designated

350-480: A total of 6 rooms in 2 rows from north to south, and there is also a throne used by Emperor Mizunoo in one room in the northwest.The Kano school wall paintings in this structure were designated an Important Cultural Property in 1929; however, the painting in situ are reproductions, with the actual works stored at the Kyoto National Museum for preservation. The Enman-in teien ( 円満院庭園 ) gardens

400-579: Is a pilgrimage of thirty-three Buddhist temples throughout the Kansai region of Japan, similar to the Shikoku Pilgrimage . In addition to the official thirty-three temples, there are an additional three known as bangai ( 番外 ) . The principal image in each temple is Kannon , known to Westerners as the Bodhisattva of Compassion (sometimes translated as 'Goddess of Mercy'); however, there

450-426: Is some variation among the images and the powers they possess. It is traditional for pilgrims to wear white clothing and conical straw hats and to carry walking sticks. While the route was historically traveled by foot, today pilgrims usually use cars or trains. Pilgrims record their progress with a prayer book ( 納経帖 , Nōkyō-chō ) , which the temple staff mark with red stamps and Japanese calligraphy indicating

500-407: Is sometimes called the "Later Emperor Shirakawa", or in some older sources, may be identified as "Shirakawa, the second" or as "Shirakawa II". Unusually, the years of Go-Shirakawa's reign are more specifically identified by more than one era name or nengō ; Kyūju (1154–1156) and Hōgen (1156–1159). He was de facto the last true emperor , before the shogun became the actual head of

550-663: The Kondō and Hondo (the Main Hall and Buddha Hall) of Mii-dera, there are at least six statues of the Buddha , sacred personal possessions of various Emperors, including Emperor Tenji, which are hidden away and shown only on rare, special occasions, as well as one large statue of the Miroku , or Maitreya, Buddha in the center of the Hall. The Kondo was built in 1599, and is a replacement for

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600-510: The insei system was the security it granted the emperors, as they often entered religion; the sacrosanctity of monks and priests was an intrinsic part of Japanese culture. Given that Sutoku was overthrown by the military clans and Go-Shirakawa, his position cannot truly be considered to have been secure, Sansom argues, and so the Hōgen Rebellion represents the end of the insei system. In 1158 Go-Shirakawa abdicated to his son Nijō and became

650-490: The 10,000 koku Hitachi-Futto Domain in what is now Inashiki, Ibaraki . In 1601, he sponsored the construction of this chapel within Mii-dera. The Kōjō-in is noteworthy for its Kyakuden ( 客殿 ) , or Guest Hall, which was completed in 1601. This six by seven bay structure with a wood-shingled irimoya-zukuri roof has been designated as a National Treasure as a representative example of Shoin-zukuri architecture of

700-439: The 79th emperor; Antoku, the 81st emperor; and Go-Toba, the 82nd emperor. The Imperial Household has designated Hōjū-ji no Misasagi at Kyoto as the emperor's official mausoleum. Go-Shirakawa is usually characterised as manipulative and deceptive, as well as being inconstant and following whatever was the fashion of the day, whether politically or otherwise. Yoritomo called him "the biggest tengu of Japan". Furthermore, he

750-600: The 7th month ), the ex-Emperor Toba died at the age of 54. Soon afterwards, the Hōgen Rebellion broke out – Yorinaga had mustered several hundred warriors to try to press Sutoku's claim and usurp Go-Shirakawa's title. However, Go-Shirakawa gained the support of the two most powerful warrior clans, the Taira and the Minamoto , through their leaders, Minamoto no Yoshitomo and Taira no Kiyomori . Together, they easily defeated

800-469: The Asai and Asakura families were closest to Mount Hiei , but these families, as well as others the temples had allied with, were rivals of Oda Nobunaga . These two families suffered heavy defeats at the hands of Nobunaga and his chief general Toyotomi Hideyoshi , so in 1571 they sought a stronger alliance with the temples. That same year, Nobunaga set to destroying everything on Mount Hiei , starting with

850-566: The Edo Period. The Kōjō-in ( 光浄院 ) is a sub-temple ( tatchū ( 塔頭 ) ) of Mii-dera, built by Yamaoka Kagetomo ( 山岡景友 ) (1541-1604). The Yamaoka clan was a cadet branch of the Rokkaku clan native to Ōmi Province , and Yamaoka Kagetomo was one of Toyotomi Hideyoshi 's generals. He took the tonsure in 1584, becoming Yamaoka Dōami ( 道阿弥 ) . Following Hideyoshi's death, he pledged fealty to Tokugawa Ieyasu and in 1603 became daimyō of

900-635: The Kōfuku-ji in Nara in 1081 (avenging the burning of the Mii-dera by Kōfuku-ji monks that same year), and a united attack on Nara once more in 1117. At the end of the 12th century, the attentions of the monks of Mount Hiei were turned towards a greater conflict: the Genpei War . The Taira and Minamoto families supported different claimants to the Chrysanthemum Throne , and in June 1180,

950-599: The Minamoto brought their claimant, Prince Mochihito , to the Mii-dera, fleeing from Taira samurai . Mii-dera asked for aid from Enryaku-ji, but was denied. The monks of the Mii-dera joined the Minamoto army, and fled to the Byōdō-in , a Fujiwara clan villa, which had been converted to a monastery by Mii-dera monks (see Battle of Uji (1180) ). Angered at the Mii-dera/Minamoto alliance, Taira no Kiyomori ordered

1000-523: The Sakurai-no-miya as recognition that it was a monzeki temple with an Imperial prince as head abbot. It was relocated to its present location within the precincts of Miii-dera in the early Edo Period. Its Shinden-zukuri style main residence was a gift of Empress Meishō in 1647. It was originally built in 1619 for use by Tokugawa Masako , the daughter of Shogun Tokugawa Hidetada and wife of Emperor Go-Mizunoo . The floor plan consists of

1050-581: The Taira returned the Imperial Regalia and the emperor he would facilitate a truce with the Minamoto. This meant that they were unprepared for the rapid attack of Minamoto no Noriyori and Minamoto no Yoshitsune at the Battle of Ichi-no-Tani , a decisive battle in the war. Throughout the entire war there were disagreements and struggles for power within the Minamoto clan, which was barely held together by Minamoto no Yoritomo . When Yoritomo secured

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1100-467: The aforementioned foremost military clans, the Taira and Minamoto, led to the Heiji Rebellion of 1160. The Minamoto lost and the Taira attained ascendancy. As Kiyomori's power reached its zenith, the good relations between him and Go-Shirakawa ended – Kiyomori's reign became hubristic and indeed despotic, with the Taira showing unequivocal disrespect not only towards the imperial clan, but towards

1150-424: The armies of Sutoku leaving Go-Shirakawa as the sole imperial ruler. Historian George Sansom argues that because the course of the insurrection was dictated by the military clans, this moment represents a turning point in the nature of Japanese politics; the imperial clan had lost all authority and the military clans now controlled the political landscape. Sansom develops this point to assert that an intrinsic part of

1200-463: The cloistered emperor (the term used here out of practicality rather than as a validation of one point of view on the aforementioned issue), maintaining this position through the reigns of five emperors ( Nijō , Rokujō , Takakura , Antoku , and Go-Toba ) until his death in 1192. Go-Shirakawa was initially an ally of Kiyomori – the latter began trade with China and supported Go-Shirakawa, not just militarily but also financially. The tension between

1250-596: The country after Go-Shirakawa's death in 1192 until the Meiji Restoration in 1868. On August 22, 1155 ( Kyūju 2, 23rd day of the 7th month ), Emperor Konoe died at the age of 17 years without leaving any heirs. There was an ensuing succession dispute: The main candidates were Prince Shigehito, son of retired Emperor Sutoku , and Prince Morihito , son of Go-Shirakawa (then named Prince Masahito). Though, according to Gukansho , Bifukumon-in also suggested her daughter Imperial Princess Akiko , Heian society

1300-421: The death of Yoshitsune, Go-Shirakawa and Yoritomo reconciled. Go-Shirakawa allowed Yoritomo to form a shogunate – the imperial authority and validation was required to attain the position of Shogun. In 1192 ( Kenkyū 3, 13th day of the 3rd month ) Go-Shirakawa died at the age of 66. He had been father to two emperors – Nijō, the 78th emperor; Takakura, the 80th emperor and grandfather to three emperors – Rokujō,

1350-538: The destruction of Mii-dera, and of many of the temples of Nara (see Siege of Nara ). The monks of Mii-dera figured once more in the Genpei War, fighting alongside Taira sympathisers against Minamoto no Yoshinaka , who invaded Kyoto in 1184, setting fire to the Hōjūjidono Palace and kidnapping the retired emperor, Shirakawa II . Following the Genpei War, there was a long period of relative peace, as

1400-501: The four chief temples charged with the spiritual guidance and protection of the capital. It was during this time also that Enryaku-ji and Mii-dera split away from one another, developing two branches of the Tendai sect, called Jimon and Sanmon . For the most part, this was more a geographic rivalry than an ideological schism, but it was an intense one nonetheless, and only grew more severe after Enchin's death. The rivalry turned violent in

1450-404: The imperial position. However, it is broadly acknowledged that by politically outmaneuvering his opponents, he attained greater influence and power than the diminished authority of the emperor's position during this period would otherwise allow. Posthumously, this 12th-century sovereign was named after the 11th-century Emperor Shirakawa . Go- (後), translates literally as "later"; and thus, he

1500-480: The late Muromachi period . It is decorated inside with paintings by the Kano school , notably fusuma paintings by Kanō Sanraku . These painting were designated an Important Cultural Property in 1976. The Kōjō-in teien ( 光浄院庭園 ) gardens was designated a National Place of Scenic Beauty in 1934. The gardens contain a large pond which extends almost to the edge of the verandah of the Kyakuden . The pond contains

1550-406: The monks of Enryaku-ji would perform services under his direction. He soon resigned. But in 993, the monks of Mii-dera took revenge, destroying a temple where Ennin , founder of Enryaku-ji's Sanmon sect, had once lived. The monks from Enryaku-ji retaliated, destroying more than 40 places associated with Enchin. In the end, over 1,000 monks of Enchin's Jimon sect fled permanently to Mii-dera, cementing

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1600-418: The original, built in 672 and destroyed in 1571. Mii-dera also has a Kannon-do, built in 1072. The evening bell of Mii-dera appears in many tales and legends, including one of the warrior monk Musashibo Benkei and another of a vainglorious woman who dared to touch the forbidden bell. The Enman-in ( 円満院 ) is a sub-temple ( tatchū ( 塔頭 ) ) of Mii-dera. It may have been founded in 987 AD by Prince Goen,

1650-531: The other high-ranking families as well. For example, in 1170 Taira men humiliated the reigning Fujiwara Regent, Fujiwara no Motofusa , after his retinue and that of Kiyomori's son, Shigemori , collided. This meant that in 1169 ( Kaō 1, 6th month ) Emperor Go-Shirakawa entered the Buddhist priesthood at the age of 42 – he felt he could no longer control Kiyomori. He took the Buddhist name of Gyōshin. Furthermore, Kiyomori's behaviour caused Go-Shirakawa to support

1700-406: The provinces following their defeat in 1160. In May 1180, Minamoto no Yorimasa sent a call to arms to his clan in the eastern and northern provinces. The call to arms was issued in the name of Prince Mochihito , Yorimasa's candidate for the imperial throne. Kiyomori became aware of this and subsequently confined Go-Shirakawa even more closely and called for the arrest of his son, Mochihito. Although

1750-418: The rebellion was defeated, it was the first of many and would eventually lead to the Taira's downfall. In short, the Minamoto won after a hard-fought war and with the continual support of Go-Shirakawa, who had been in contact with Minamoto no Yoritomo since Kiyomori's death in 1181. In 1183 the army of Minamoto no Yoshinaka entered the capital, allowing for Go-Shirakawa's re-entry into the city – he had made

1800-468: The rebellion, they discovered Mii-dera's monks to be supported by sōhei from Enryaku-ji and Kōfuku-ji as well. A year later, another battle erupted, over comments made by the abbot of Nanzen-ji; the monks of Mii-dera, along with their allies, defeated the shogun's forces once again. In the late 16th century, Mii-dera, along with many of the other nearby temples, sought alliances, for military (defensive) strength, as well as military power. The territories of

1850-399: The second half of the 10th century, over a series of official appointments to other temples, and similar slights. The zasu of Enryaku-ji in 970 formed the first permanent standing army to be recruited by a religious body. Mii-dera can be assumed to have established one very soon afterwards. In 989, a former abbot of Mii-dera by the name of Yokei was to become abbot of Enryaku-ji; but none of

1900-721: The son of Emperor Murakami in Okazaki in Kyoto, where it was called the Byōdō-in, although other records state that it was built with the support of Emperor Go-Suzaku in 1040 under the name of Enman-in. In 1052, the Kanpaku Fujiwara no Yorimichi changed his father's villa in Uji into a temple, which became the famous Byōdō-in , and the original Byōdō-in in Okazaki was renamed the "Mii-Byōdō-in" due to its connection with Mii-dera, or

1950-407: The split between the two Sects. Over the course of the 10th, 11th and 12th centuries, there continued to be similar incidents, over the appointment of abbots ( zasu ), involving many sōhei , or warrior monks. Mii-dera was burned to the ground by the sōhei of Enryaku-ji four times in the 11th century alone. There were, however, times that the two united against a common enemy, including an attack on

2000-418: The support of Go-Shirakawa in this power struggle, Yoshinaka seized the cloistered emperor and burned his palace. After continued internal struggles within the Minamoto clan and fighting with the Taira, Yoshitsune finally destroyed the Taira clan entirely in 1185 at the naval Battle of Dan-no-ura . Although Yoritomo and Go-Shirakawa disagreed in the late 1180s, again related to internal Minamoto issues, after

2050-495: The temple number, the temple name, and the specific name of the Kannon image. Some pilgrims receive the stamps and calligraphy on wall scrolls (for a decorative hanging) and on their white coats (to be cremated in) as well. The goeika songs of the 33 temples are widely known and frequently grouped together. Emperor Go-Shirakawa Emperor Go-Shirakawa ( 後白河天皇 , Go-Shirakawa-tennō , October 18, 1127 – April 26, 1192)

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2100-422: The temples of Kyoto and Nara, including the Mii-dera, were rebuilt. As the temples regained strength, rivalries reappeared, though little to no violence actually erupted between Mii-dera and Enryaku-ji. In 1367, when a novice from Mii-dera was killed at a toll barrier established by the temple of Nanzen-ji , warrior monks from Mii-dera set out to attack Nanzen-ji; when the shōgun ' s forces were sent to quell

2150-418: The throne as Emperor to secure his son's position until he came of age, skipping the usual status of Crown Prince. The new Emperor, who would be posthumously named Go-Shirakawa, was enthroned late that year. The resulting effect of disinheriting Sutoku's line, after Sutoku had already previously been made to abdicate in favour of Konoe, infuriated the retired Emperor. On July 20, 1156 ( Hōgen 1, 2nd day of

2200-411: The town of Sakamoto at the foot of the mountain, and setting his sights on Enryaku-ji at the summit. Much of Mii-dera was destroyed, as the warrior monks failed against Nobunaga's large and highly trained samurai army. Following these attacks, the monks of Mount Hiei were finally granted a reprieve, and rebuilt their temples once more. Mii-dera has never been attacked or destroyed since then. Within

2250-570: Was also criticized for excessively patronizing literature and religion, being an avid collector of imayo poetry since his youth, with these poems often being focused on Buddhist themes. He spent lavishly on restoring and expanding temples and shrines, such as his restoration of the Todai-ji after the Taira burned it down in 1180. He was also accused of encouraging the warrior monks of the great temples to attempt to wield even greater influence than they already possessed. Before his ascension to

2300-511: Was designated a National Place of Scenic Beauty in 1934. The layout of the garden is attributed to Sōami , who is also responsible by for the rock garden at Ginkaku-ji in Kyoto. Within the grounds of Enman-in is also the Otsu-e Museum ( 大津絵美術館 , Otsu-e bijutsukan ) with a collection of Otsu-e votive prints which were popular with travelers on the Tōkaidō and Nakasendō roads in

2350-418: Was fundamentally opposed to the idea of a female ruler. Shigehito was expected to succeed and was supported by Fujiwara no Yorinaga , but court nobles centering around Bifukumon-in and Fujiwara no Tadamichi opposed this, fearing Sutoku gaining power as Cloistered Emperor. Securing the support of Cloistered Emperor Toba , a plan was put into place where 29 year old Prince Masahito, Morihito's father, would take

2400-609: Was given this name by Enchin , one of the earliest abbots of the Tendai Sect. The name comes from the springs at the temple which were used for the ritual bathing of newborns, and in honor of Emperors Emperor Tenji and Emperor Tenmu, and Empress Jitō , who contributed to the founding of the temple. Today, the Kondō , or Main Hall, houses a spring of sacred water . Under Enchin's guidance, from 859 to his death in 891, Mii-dera gained power and importance, eventually becoming (along with Tōdai-ji , Kōfuku-ji , and Enryaku-ji ) one of

2450-399: Was the 77th emperor of Japan , according to the traditional order of succession. His de jure reign spanned the years from 1155 through 1158 , though arguably he effectively maintained imperial power for almost thirty-seven years through the insei system – scholars differ as to whether his rule can be truly considered part of the insei system, given that the Hōgen Rebellion undermined

2500-478: Was the son of Kiyomori's sister-in-law, and so he attained a familial link to the imperial clan in a manner not dissimilar to that of the Fujiwara. Indeed, Kiyomori could have seized the power of Regent and Go-Shirakawa would have been powerless to stop him, due to this marital link. Go-Shirakawa planned to regain power through the Taira's old rivals, the Minamoto. They had been steadily recovering their strength in

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