Hongan-ji Nagoya Betsuin
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The Hongan-ji Betsuin (本願寺派名古屋別院) is a Jōdo Shinshū buddhist temple located in Naka ward, Nagoya in central Japan.
The temple is a short distance south of Ōsu Kannon Station.
History
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The temple is run by the Ikko sect of Jōdo Shinshū. The temple is also called Nishi Honganji (西別院) as opposed to the Higashi Honganji (東本願寺名古屋別院). It dates back to about 1500 CE when chief abbot Rennyo's 13th child, Renjun, built Gansyo-ji in the Japanese cedar groves of Ise province. Later it fell on hard times and was renovated. In the early Edo period it was moved to the current location at the time of the construction of Nagoya Castle.
It was patronized by Baishō-in, concubine of Tokugawa Tsunanari (1652–1699), lord of the Owari Domain.
On October 5, 1817 Hokusai with the assistance of his disciples painted at the temple the "Big Daruma" on paper, measuring 18x10.8 metres, impressing many onlookers. For this feat he received the name "Darusen" (a shortened form of Daruma Sensei).[1][2] Although the original was destroyed in 1945, promotional handbills from that time survived and are preserved at the Nagoya City Museum. Based on studies, a reproduction of the large painting was done at a large public event on 23 November 2017 to commemorate the 200-year anniversary of the painting, using the same size and techniques and material as the original. A prayer ceremony was done afterwards to bless the painting.[3][4]
In 1874, close to the temple, a medical training centre, the predecessor of Nagoya University's School of Medicine, was set up for medical research, practice and education. Later the centre was moved to Tennozaki on the banks of the Hori River.
The wooden building and artwork were largely destroyed during the bombing of Nagoya in World War II in May 1945. It was rebuilt in a pseudo-ancient Indian style.
The wooden bell tower (shōrō) survived the war undamaged, and is said to be also donated by Baishō-in in Kyōhō 14 (1729).[5] The bell is suspended on the lower level, different from the typical bell tower style. The carved sculptures are also of high quality. It was named a City Designated Cultural Property in 2017.
Features
On the grounds is a bronze statue to the founder Shinran.
The Hongan-ji Betsuin houses the ashes of deceased persons, which are kept in their urns in metal lockers on the ground floor of the temple. By request from relatives, monks will perform prayer services for a fee.
See also
- Tsukiji Hongan-ji in Tokyo, which has architectural resemblance
References
External links
Coordinates: 35°09′26″N 136°53′58″E / 35.15722°N 136.89944°E