Myokaku-ji
- Other Names: 北龍華具足山 (kitaryuuge gusokuzan)
- Japanese: 妙覚寺 (myoukaku-ji)
Myôkaku-ji is a Nichiren Buddhist temple in Kyoto, one of the sixteen head temples of the Nichiren sect in Kyoto. It is also known as Kitaryûge-gusokuzan, and is one of three gusokuzan temples in the city.
The temple, like many others, was on at least one occasion the site of a tea ceremony held by Sen no Rikyû; similarly, Oda Nobunaga is known to have stayed here on at least one occasion.
The temple is known in particular for its main gate, which once belonged to Toyotomi Hideyoshi's Jurakudai mansion. Other surviving gates from the Jurakudai include what are today the Karamon at Daitoku-ji and the Hiunkaku Gate at Nishi Honganji. The hôjô (abbot's quarters) at Daitoku-ji is also a surviving structure from the Jurakudai.
The gate at Myôkaku-ji was originally built in 1378 at the intersection of Shijô-Ômiya by Ryûgein Nichijitsu, to serve as the gate to the mansion of wealthy merchant Ono Myôkaku. It was later moved to Nijô-Koromodana, and then moved again to around 1590, to serve as the rear gate to the Jurakudai. The gate was moved one last time, to its current location, in 1663, and follows a distinctive form, with large double swinging doors, and space above the gate for stationing guards.
References
- Plaques on-site.
