Pop Japan

Soaring above the concrete jungle of southern Kyoto is the pagoda of Toji Temple, a Buddhist shrine of the Shingon sect. Toji Temple, translated as East Temple, used to stand guard over the city in the eighth century with its counterpart, the Saiji Temple (West Temple). The twin towers flanked the Rashomon Gate to stand as a protection for the whole nation, and the then-capital Heian Kyo, now known as Kyoto. Toji is one of the many UNESCO world heritage sites in the ancient city. As the founder of Shingon Buddhism, Kobo Daishi, became the head priest of Toji, the temple became the centeral seminary of Shingon or Esoteric Buddhism.

Photo by Robert Young. Licensed under Creative Commons.

Tags: travel, Kyoto, Toji Temple, Buddhist, Shingon Buddhism, East Temple, Saiji Temple, West Temple, Rashomon Gate, Heian Kyo, UNESCO World Heritage site, Kobo Daishi, Esoteric Buddhism