Home

Ikkyji

Ikkyji, commonly written Ikkyū-ji, is a Buddhist temple located in Kyoto, Japan. It is historically associated with the Zen monk Ikkyū Sōjun (1394–1481), whose life and poetry are linked to the temple's tradition. The temple is considered part of the Rinzai branch of Zen Buddhism and is tied to the broader history of medieval Zen in Kyoto.

The temple’s current form reflects a Muromachi period origin with later reconstructions and repairs. The grounds

Cultural significance and public access: Ikkyū-ji is regarded as an important site for understanding the life

are
modest
but
carefully
kept,
featuring
a
garden
that
is
often
described
as
tranquil
and
moss-covered.
A
cave
on
the
hillside
is
linked
to
Ikkyū
in
local
legend,
where
the
monk
is
said
to
have
meditated
or
taken
shelter
during
his
later
years.
The
site
also
preserves
inscriptions
and
artifacts
related
to
Zen
practice
and
Ikkyū’s
legacy.
of
Ikkyū
and
the
development
of
Zen
practice
in
medieval
Japan.
It
is
part
of
Kyoto’s
network
of
historic
religious
sites
and
is
visited
as
part
of
temple
circuits
and
pilgrimages
in
the
city.
The
temple
is
open
to
the
public,
with
visiting
hours
and
fees
that
vary
by
season,
and
it
remains
a
focus
of
scholarly
interest
as
well
as
tourism.