Uji & Byōdō-in

Uji

located just south of Kyoto

The Battle on the Uji Bridge is very significant in The Tale of the Heike, because it was the start of the Genpei War. It was during this time that the fall of the great hero and poet, Yorimasa. With Heike forces of over twenty-eight thousand horse, make a move to cross the Uji River. Prince Mochihito, who was favored by the Minamoto to be the next to the throne, escapes by horse, but eventually in unsuccessful and if cut down and his head cut off.

Today Uji is commonly known for its tea leaves, also a picture of Temple on the back of the 10 yen coin.

Byōdō-in Temple

Is a Temples that is one of the few examples of the Heian Era (794-1185). The temple was dedicated in 1052 by Fujiwara no Yorimichi, beside the Uji River.

The Phoenix hall in the temple it considered to be a famous architectural monument in Japanese culture. Inside the Phoenix hall are displays of old Japanese art that was developed during the Heian period. Because the Buddha, (Amida Nyorai) arranges a person’s deeds and good being, a scene is portrayed on the walls in the Phoenix Hall.

Works Cited:

Tyler, Royall, translator. The Tale of the Heike. Viking, Penguin Group, 2012.

Yiengpruksawan, Mimi Hall. “The Phoenix Hall at Uji and the Symmetries of Replication.” The Art Bulletin, vol. 77, no. 4, Dec. 1995, p. 647., doi:10.2307/3046141.