In 794, when the capital of Japan was transferred to Kyoto from Nara, tow huge guardian temples were built on the east and the west sides of the main entrance of the Imperial City Kyoto. The western temple no longer exists, but Toji, the “Eastern Temple has survived to the present day. ToJi lacks the glossy beauty of many Kyoto temples but it impresses by the sheer weight of its history. Today it still echoes the bygone rituals, lingering in its temple halls. Kubai founded the temple in 794. He was one of pioneering monk, who helped to integrate Buddhism into Japanese life. Kukai turned ToJi into the main headquarters of Shingon Buddhism. The sect’s esoteric rituals relied heavily on mandalas, and in the Kodo (lecture Hall) 21 statues form a three dimensional mandala at the centre of which is Dainichi Nyorai, the cosmic Buddha who first expouned the esoteric teaching. About 1200 years old, there these and other major images were carved from single blocks of wood. The two story Kondo (main hall) was first built in 796, the present structure dates from 1603. Rebuilt in 1644, Toji;s magnificent fiv-story pagoda at 55m the tallest wooden pagoda in Japan. It has become a symbol of Kyoto.

1. A 1200 year old Japanese temple
First created 16 May 2018. Version 1.0 - 10 Jun 2018. Daperro. London.
Toji, Kyoto

2. During the Tang Dynasty (618-907) in China the Silk Road was opened. Buddhism gain widespread
acceptance in China. At the same time sea route to Korea and Japan were developed, leading the
exchange of diplomats and trades between these countries.
Tang Dynasty, China (618-907)

3. Kukai Trip to China 804
The voyage to China was perilous that more than half of the official embassy vessels were sunk
making the journey. Kukai went to China in 804 and returned in 806, after studied Buddhism and
also including civil engineering and pharmacy, in Tang China.

4. The building of Toji in 796
Toji was built when Emperor Kanmu (737-806) moved his capital to Kyoto. The building of the
temples was no easy matter. Owing to the need to pacify indigenous peoples in the north of the
country and with repeated relocation of the capital. When Kukai was put in charge of Toji only the
Kondo and small priest quarters had been built.

5. Toji Today
In 794, when Kyoto became an Imperial city, two huge guardian temples were built. The western
temple no longer exists, but Toji, the “Eastern Temple has survived to the present day. Today, Toji is
home of the Shingon Buddhism sect

6. The Plan
Right : The plan of Toji, with the main buildings along the North-South axis. Left : The Pagoda at
night.

7. The Mandala
Central to the belief of Shingon Buddhism is mandalas. Mandalas are cosmic diagram reminding us of
our relation to infinity, extending beyond and with our bodies and minds. Mandalas were specially
prized as means to express the deepest Esoteric philosophies. They believe Vairocana Buddha is centre
of the cosmos.

8. The Refectory
The first major building near the entrance is the refectory. It is quite common to find refectory in
Chinese temple as well. They are for the long distance pilgrims.

9. The Refectory

10. The entrance to the refectory, which left in old paints of subdue colours.
The Refectory

11. The Refectory
A painting of Buddha in the refectory. One explanation for Buddha’s long ears is that it is an
indication of attained enlightenment. It is part of the Buddhist iconography. When I was a kid, I
was told that it is a sign of long life.

12. The Refectory
Chinese and Japanese traditional architecture were built in timber. To lock the whole structure
together, joints and slots were developed. Complicated interlocking joint like this one is called a
bracket, which is used to support a larger roof with overhanging eaves. It is unusual to see such
beautifully carved brackets like this one.

13. The Wisdom Kings Shrine
This is the Wisdom Kings shrine.

14. TheWisdomKingsShrine
This is one of the Wisdom Kings. Wisdom kings are deities capable of removing obstacles. This one is
the Immovable Wisdom King (Acala).

15. The Toji Office
This is the admin office of the Toji. The garden is paved with brilliant while marble chips, making it
looks like pristine snow.

16. The Toji Office

17. The Toji Office
Bamboos are used in a variety of ways, functional as well decorative.

18. The Toji Office
Entrance to the administrative section of the temple.

19. The Toji Office
The entrance decorated with lace patterns.

20. The Main Temple Halls
The temple halls, they are the most important buildings in the Toji temple complex.

21. Kodo Temple Halls
Kodo described as the Lecture Hall, where the main training and learning temple for Shingon
Esoteric Buddhism. The original building (835) was burned down in 1486 and was rebuilt in 1491.

22. Kodo Temple Halls
Kodo described as the Lecture Hall, where the main training and learning temple for Shingon
Esoteric Buddhism. The original building was burned down in 1486 and was rebuilt in 1491.

23. Kodo Temple Halls
Statues of the deities
displayed on an elevated
platform at various
stages of achieving
enlightenment in the
Kodo Temple Hall.

24. Kodo Temple Halls –
Wisdom Kings
Wisdom kings came after
the Buddhas and
Bodhisattvas. Wisdom
kings are viewed as the
guardians of Buddhism.

25. Kodo Temple Halls – Wisdom Kings
Wisdom kings are also known as the Guardians.
They are the defenders of the faith. They are
fearsome creatures. This one has fives eyes and
three faces.

26. Kodo Temple Halls – Wisdom Kings

27. Kodo Temple Halls – Bodhisattvas Group
These are Buddha who have reached Enlightenment.

28. KodoTempleHalls–BuddhaGroup
This is one of the Buddha in the central group. Kodo Hall.

29. Kodo Temple Halls – Buddha Vailrocana

30. Kodo Temple Halls – Wisdom Kings

31. Kodo Temple Halls – Badhissattvas
The arrangements are the Buddhas in the centre, the Wisdom Kings on the left and the Bodhisattvas
on the right.

32. Kondo Temple Halls

33. Kondo Temple Halls – Corner Bracket
This one of the corner bracket supporting the huge roof. Note the multiple levels of rafters.

34. Kondo Temple Halls – The facade
Note the multiple levels of roofs on top of each other and the roofs are steeper in comparison
allowing the final building to be taller.

35. Kondo Temple Halls – Buddhas, the Nyorals
The buddhas in the the Kondo Temple hall.

36. Kondo Temple Halls –
Buddha Yakushi Nyoral
These are only three main statues
in the Kondo Temple Hall. In the
centre is the seated statue of the
Healing Buddha, Yakushi Nyoral.

37. Kondo Temple Halls – Buddha Yakushi Nyoral

38. Kondo Temple Halls –
Bodhisattva Gakko Bosatsu
On the left is Bodhisattva of the Moon.

39. Kondo Temple Halls –
Bodhisattva Nikko Bosatsu
On the right is Bodhisattva
of the Sun.

40. Kondo Temple Halls

41. Toji Pagoda
The five-storied pagoda is
the highest pagoda in Japan,
measuring 55m. It was built
in 1644. The original was
built in the 9th century.

42. The pagoda normally closed to the public. It is only open on special occasions.
Toji Pagoda

43. Toji Pagoda
Shaken by earthquakes and swept by typhoons these pagodas can survive for a long time. This is
due to its flexible and the interlocking brackets, allowing the structure sways.

44. The pagoda is a structure used to house
Buddhist relics. The Japanese pagoda
historically derive from the Chinese pagoda.
The diagram on the right shows a typical
layouts and structure of a Japanese pagoda.
Japanese Pagoda

45. Toji Pagoda
The first interior of the five
stories pagoda.

46. Shinto Shrine
Surprise to find a colourful Shinto
Shrine within Toji. Shinto is not
part of the Buddhist religion. It
was founded in the 8C. It is a
collection of native beliefs and
mythology.

47. Shinto Shrine
All the Shinto shrines I have seen were painted in this bright red colour and have bells, with a beautifully
woven cord, for the believers to ring.

48. Toji Pool
Toji like many Buddhist temples has a pond where they keep their tortoises and their carps.

49. Lanterns
Two lanterns for candles or oil lamps.

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The
End
Music – Sakura “Cherry Blossoms” Traditional
Music, Classical Koto

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