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Kodaiji Temple is located at the foot of Higashiyama in Kyoto, northeast of Hokanji Temple, which is famous for the Yasaka Pagoda. It is a Zen temple belonging to the Rinzai sect of Keninji. After the death of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, his legal wife Nene (Kita no Miko) moved from Osaka to Kyoto to become a nun. In 1606 (the 11th year of Keicho), she built this temple, one of the most famous in the Higashiyama area, as a place to pray for Hideyoshi's repose and also as her own burial site. The temple is officially named Kodaiji Shōjū Zenji. The name of the temple was bestowed by Emperor Go-Yōzei, based on Nene's posthumous Buddhist name "Kodaian."
After the temple was established, Tokugawa Ieyasu ordered the removal of the old temple on the original site and undertook extensive renovations, resulting in a grand and magnificent construction. However, due to multiple fires over the years, many buildings were destroyed. Nevertheless, the main hall, spirit hall, front gate, moon-viewing platform, the umbrella pavilion of the tea room, and the Shigure-tei have been well preserved, showcasing the splendid appearance of the Azuchi-Momoyama period. Because it retains the landscape from the time of its creation, it has been designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan, making it a valuable historical heritage.
Located on a higher base in the northeastern part of Kodaiji Temple, compared to other buildings, is the spirit hall that enshrines Nene and Hideyoshi. The Shumidan (Buddha seat) and the altar are adorned with luxurious decorations known as "Kodaiji Maki-e." The lavish and elegant maki-e, decorated with gold and silver powder on a black lacquer surface, embodies the essence of lacquer art from the Azuchi-Momoyama period. It is a masterpiece that has passed down the excellent artistic culture of one of the most captivating eras in Japanese history.
In addition, the temple grounds feature several notable attractions, including a tea room designed by Sen no Rikyū and a garden designed by Kobori Enshū, as well as the famous autumn foliage that attracts visitors both domestically and internationally. The gradient beauty created by nearly 1,000 maple trees is considered a breathtaking sight. Visitors can also enjoy the solemn and mysterious beauty through nighttime illumination.
