黄檗宗 牛頭山
弘福寺
ON♪OFF
Main Hall of Kofukuji Temple
The Main Hall of Kofukuji Temple features wooden roof tiles and a hip-and-gable (irimoya) roof standing 14.5m tall and 23.6m long. The two-level structure consists of the hall and a shrine in the back for worshipping Buddha. Following the great Kanto earthquake, the 33rd priest of the temple, Hyuga Gikaku, rebuilt the temple with the help of chief carpenter Masakichi Wada and the support of the temple parishioners. Zen stylings were used for the frame and the braiding. The distinct style of the Obaku School can be seen in the getudai (moon viewing platform) in front of the main hall, the frames, the foundation, and the circular windows. The style of the frame and the apparatus between the pillars resemble the Main Hall of Manpukuji Temple in Kyoto. Even though the Main Hall of Kofukuji has the unique features of a temple of the Obaku School, the inside has been modernized to facilitate prayer and worship inside the temple.
Copper Bell
The copper bell of the Kofukuji temple was created in June 1688 and is recognized as the oldest bell of a Buddhist temple in Sumida Ward. The bell tower was originally destroyed in the great Ansei earthquake however it was reconstructed in May 1933. Eight hasumi have been inscribed on the eight petal lotus flower on the tsukiza (or point where the bell strikes). The bell has a total of 100 chichi or nyu (bosses around the upper part of the bell that improve resonance) in four areas in 5x5 grids which is the second most of any Edo period bells (1st is 108).
An inscription of an arabesque pattern can be found on the lower part of the bell. The canons of the bell have been well preserved and the bell is representative of one made in the Edo Period. However, while inscriptions can be seen all over the bell itself, as the inscriptions are not well defined it is hard to determine the meaning. In particular, the wear on the upper area of the bell is particularly striking. Inscriptions that can be read consist of 「牛頭山弘福禅寺大鐘銘並序」which depict the origin of Kofukuji temple as told by Kousen Shouton the 5th generation Obaku school monk, contributions by the Ii family of the Mikawa-Kakegawa domain (later the Echigo-Yoita domain), various mantras and sutras, etc.
This bell was well known at the time and was even included in the regional topography during the Edo period, including in publications such as the Edo Meisho Zue and the Shinpen Musashi Fudo Kiko.
Wooden Statue of Tetsugyu Attached Lotus Flower Shaped Board with 35 Copper Statues of Buddha
*Not open to Public
This statue was crafted using woodblock techniques, entirely whitewashed, with the eyes placed directly into the statue. The distinct colors of the dragon and the cloud on the priest’s robe and the cloud on the monk’s stole stand out and represent the unique, deep characteristics of the Obaku style. The collar rests gracefully and is a fitting example of the Japanese style. The wood placing technique shows a high level of technicality and a vermillion lacquer has been applied to the cloth covering the all of the inside. Inside the head are 35 small copper statues of Buddha on a lotus flower shaped wooden board. The names of each Buddha can be found under each statue and ink writings by Tetsugyu can be seen on both sides of the wooden board. Further, on the backside, an ink writing of “祥□元慶禅人刻” can be found which is thought to be the creator of the statue. It is said that Tetsugyu Douki, founder of Kofukuji Temple, was a well-known monk of the Obaku School in the early Edo period and was trusted by believers such as Inaba Masanori, daimyo (feudal lord) of the Sagami Odawara Domain.
Grave of Ikeda Kanzan
Ikeda Kanzan was born in Edo in 1767 as the second child of Ikeda Hanzo Masakatsu, a vassal of the shogun. He was called “Sadatsune,” and in 1773 he became the adopted son of Ikedaokumanokami Sadanori, daimyo of Inba Wakasa, and inherited the family estate. Kanzan, along with Mori Takasue and Ichihashi Nagaaki, were known through studies and art as the Three Lords of Culture in the Kansei Period which produced over 210 literary works including the well-known “Sensouji-zu.” Kanzan died in July 1833 and a gravestone was erected in his memory.
The grave features a stone turtle on the pedestal under a large gravestone. On the gravestone, there is an epitaph of Sato Hiroshi (Isasi), a close friend of Kanzan, a signature of Matsuzaki Kendo, and the achievements of Kanzan have been inscribed by Ichikawa Beian on the left, right and back. The grave of Kanzan is considered important as it displays what graves looked like during the feudal lord period in Japan as well as for listing Kanzan’s cultural achievements.
Paintings in KofukujiTemple
*Not open to public
 隠元木庵鉄牛のうち鉄牛 |
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 稲葉正則像 |
 五百羅漢図応神観音(部分) |
Kofukuji Temple has accumulated 57 paintings since opening. These paintings are mainly from individuals from when the temple was being constructed or related artists. Kofukuji Temple holds many well-known paintings such as the temple foundation plans drafted by Kita Genki as well as paintings by second generation Obaku monk Mokuan Seito and Chokei Kenmyo, involved in founding Kofukuji Temple. Buddhist paintings, flower and bird paintings, Indian ink paintings, etc. make up the 31 paintings from the end of the medieval period to the beginning of the Edo period, the 15 paintings from the end of the Edo period, and the 11 paintings from the Meiji era and on. Above all, the uniqueness of Obaku can be seen in the paintings of Kita Genki.