Konpuku-ji temple
Konpuku-ji is closely related to haikai (haiku) poets (please see the note below). Basho-an, a thatched hut is named after Matsuo Basho (1644-1694), a great haikai poet. There is a grave stone of Yosa-no-Buson (1716-1783), who was also a great haikai poet and painter, together with those of other poets.
NOTE: haikai (haiku) is a seventeen-syllabled poem; as a general rule, a word that express a season must be included.
History of Konpuku-ji
The fourth head priest of Enryaku-ji temple, An'ne founded Konpuku-ji in 864 in conformity with the wishes of his predecessor, Jikaku-daishi En'nin (794-864) as a Tendai-shu sect temple. Years later, the temple fell into ruin. Sometime during Jokyo era (1684-1688), Tesshu, who was the head priest of Enko-ji (Rinzai-shu sect temple), rebuilt Konpuku-ji. Since then this temple has been a subsidiary of Nanzen-ji temple.
Tesshu, a friend of Matsuo Basho, built a thatched hut called Basho-an. Once the hut dilapidated, but an association of haikai poets led by Yosa-no-Buson rebuilt it in 1781.
How to get to Konpuku-ji
- 38 minutes from JR Kyoto station to Ichijoji-Sagarimatsu-cho on Kyoto City Bus No. 5, then 10 minutes on foot toward the hill.
Hours and Admission
9:00 -17:00
Closed January 16 to 31, August 5 to 20, December 30 and 31.
All except the following: 300 yen,
Junior high school students (7th to 9th graders) and high school students: 200 yen,
Elementary school pupils and younger: free.
Photos / Pictures
Click on a photo for a larger image.
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| The entrance gate and stone stairs of Konpuku-ji April 29, 2008 |
Autumn leaves. The thatched roof beyond the Karesansui garden is Basho-an. November 25, 2002 |
Karesansui dry landscape garden in front of Hondo, the main hall. April 29, 2008 |
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| Hondo and the garden in autumn. November 25, 2002 |
The main hall. April 29, 2008 |
A stone lantern and a tsukubai wash basin. April 29, 2008 |
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| Basho-an, a thatched hut. November 25, 2002 |
A tatami room of Basho-an. April 29, 2008 |
Another room of Basho-an. April 29, 2008 |
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| Stone stairs that lead to the tomb of Yosa-no-Buson. April 29, 2008 |
A small well. April 29, 2008 |
A stone monument that was erected by Buson to the memory of Basho. April 29, 2008 |