Kougenji Temple
Celestial Maiden Restoration Project
About Kougenji
Tawaramoto, Isogi-gun, Nara Prefecture.
Kougenji Temple of the Honganji School of Jodo Shinshu, which forms the core of the village, was built in 1746 (Enkyo 3).
The principal image is a wooden statue of Amida Nyorai made in the Edo period.
A large, stately gingko tree stands in the precincts of the temple.
It continues to protect the local residents.
Celestial Maiden Art
The temple has been loved by the villagers and is decorated with wonderful paintings of celestial maidens.
The temple's chief priest, Kazuko Yoneda, sent out a message on SNS saying, "I want to restore the painting of the celestial maiden”. We wondered if DAO might be able to solve this problem. We also thought it would be a good opportunity to test the excellence of DAO, so we approached her with this idea.
Celestial Maiden Art peeling out from the top right.
At the time of appraisal
As a first step, we invited a Kyoto-based paper picture framer, and had him examine the art.
The actual appraisal revealed that the base is made of Torinoko-gami (handmade Japanese paper made mainly from gampi, which is shiny, smooth, and has a fine texture), and it is thought that the use of Torinoko-gami of this size was very valuable at that time. Some celestial maiden pictures were so extravagant that the entire surface of the paper was painted gold and Japanese paintings were painted on top of it.
It is said that the artist spent a long time creating it.
As we listened to various stories, we got to know how the people were involved in the temple at that time. We also felt connected to the people of that time and felt warmth as we thought about them.
The ceiling paintings by the same artist are also wonderful.
Message from Temples DAO
Through restoration projects, we are honored to be a part of the temple's history and to be able to pass it on to the next generation.
We will continue to raise funds for restoration through :
Sales of DAO temple cards
NFT of the painting of the celestial maiden of Kougenji Temple
Perks of NFT (ie. handmade prayer beads by Ms. Yoneda, the chief priest)
Kougenji DAO (participation in the preach) …etc.
We hope that you will join us in observing the restoration process, and would like to share this valuable experience with you.
Message from the priest
I am very grateful for the opportunity to be associated with Temples DAO.
It has been four full years since I took on the responsibility of Kougenji Temple. It has been two and a half years since I was appointed chief priest. I have been running the temple with only one desire: to somehow revitalize Kougenji Temple and the local area, which has been depopulating, and to bring the world of Amida Nyorai's compassion to as many people as possible.
In March of this year, I noticed that the painting of the celestial maiden in the inner sanctuary of the main hall was peeling off.
I am truly grateful to have been invited to participate in Temples DAO project.
The main hall of Kougenji Temple has been carefully protected by successive generations of priests. We would like to restore it to its original beauty and would like as many people as possible to see the celestial maiden paintings of Kougenji Temple. We would be grateful for your support.
May the mercy of Amida Nyorai reach you through Temples DAO.
Gassho (Sincerely yours).
Video message from Ms. Yoneda, the chief priest of Kougenji, about Celestial Maiden Restoration Project (Japanese).