History

Along with the Golden Pavilion (Rokuon-ji/Kinkaku-ji) and the Silver Pavilion (Jishō-ji/Ginkaku-ji), Shinnyoji Temple, which was founded in 1286 (1342?), is one of the outer sub-temples of Shōkokuji Temple. Shinnyoji was founded by the eminent Zen master Musō Soseki, with the support of Ashikaga Tadayoshi (brother of the shogun Ashikaga Takauji) and Kō no Moronao (Takauji’s chief deputy).

At its height Shinnyo-ji possessed six subtemples and, as part of the Five Mountains and Ten Monasteries system, was counted among the top-ranked Zen temples of Kyoto. However, a serious fire in 1461 and further damage during the Ōnin War (1467-77) left Shinnyo-ji in near ruins. Only in 1499 did restoration commence with construction of a new hōjō (main hall) and other buildings. The retired emperor Go-Mizunō financed a new hattō (Dharma hall) in 1656, and in 1662 donated sacred images of Shakyamuni, Mahakashyapa, and Ananda from the imperial palace.

Shinnyoji today consists of several buildings. The Dharma Hall (main hall, or hattō) was rebuilt in 1656. It houses a crowned statue of the Buddah, which was donated by the Sendō Imperial Palace. It also contains images of the Zen masters Musō Soseki and Mugaku Sōgen, and several imperial princesses who were ordained as nuns. The Shoin (reception hall) has an original fusuma painting which was done by Hara Zaichū and is of the famous West Lake in Hangzhou, China. There is also the Kyakuden (guest hall) and also the Chashitu (teahouse). The buildings are surrounded by large gardens graced with two ponds, expanses of green moss, and many stately trees.

Shinnyoji enshrines the deity Hansōbō Daigongen who is known for answering prayers for preventing disasters, such as for safety at sea and for preventing fires.

Shinnyoji also enshrines the deity Inari Ōkami, one of the temple’s guardian deities. This small sanctuary enshrines a portion of the sacred object of worship received in 1887 from Kyoto’s Fushimi Inari Taisha, the most important center of Inari worship in Japan.