The Kyoto Shimbun
  • Home
  • Temples/Shrines
  • News
  • Byodo-in Temple Phoenixes Sparkle with Gold
    Gilding Restores Original Image

    24 February 2014 - Temples/Shrines
    Photo= The phoenix statues goldenly shine, as when they were originally created (2:25 p.m., February 24, Byodo-in Temple, Uji, Uji City, Kyoto Prefecture)

    Photo= The phoenix statues goldenly shine, as when they were originally created (2:25 p.m., February 24, Byodo-in Temple, Uji, Uji City, Kyoto Prefecture)

    As a part of the first extensive repair work in 56 years of the Phoenix Hall of Byodo-in Temple, a National Treasure, in Uji City, Kyoto Prefecture, the phoenix statues on its roof were reborn in gold and unveiled to the press on February 24. The statutes were gilded to bring them closer to their original image at the time of the temple's construction. A Buddhist service will be held on April 2 to celebrate the completion of the Phoenix Hall's repair and its interior will be reopened to the public from April 3.

    The current statues were reproductions made in 1968 on the basis of the original phoenixes, National Treasures, made in 1053 at the time of the construction. Prior to the repair, they were bronze colored, as they were made of bronze, but it was determined to return their color to the original, in accordance with the research results. Although the original statues were gold-plated, this time the second ones were gold-filled due to the condition of their surface.

    From last September, craftspeople in Kyoto City repaired damaged areas and impressed gold foil on them. The gilt was double-layered to increase its brightness, and approximately 600 to 700 gold leaves of approximately 11 square centimeters were used.

    On that day, Monsho Kamii, the chief priest, performed a Buddhist service with other two priests. In the middle of chanting the sutra, they pulled strings to unveil the statutes to the audience. The chief priest was pleased and said, "With their quiet golden tone, they look elegant and strong." They will be installed on the southern and northern ends of the roof of the central hall of the Phoenix Hall by the beginning of March.

    (translated by Galileo, Inc.)
  • Also in Temples/Shrines:

    "War" Selected as Kanji of 2022
    Reflecting Invasion of Ukraine, North Korean Missiles, etc.; Announced at Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Kyoto
    13 March 2023

    The collection box installed at the entrance to the Goten Palace to solicit donations for reconstruction of Notre Dame Cathedral (Ninna-ji Temple, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto)

    Ninna-ji Temple, Kyoto, Collects Donations for Notre Dame's Fire Recovery
    "Temple also Reconstructed due to Fire during Onin War"
    10 June 2019

    Seihan Mori, the chief priest of Kiyomizu-dera Temple, writing the character for "disaster" with a brush (Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Kyoto)

    "Disaster" Selected as Kanji of Year
    Announced at Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Kyoto
    8 January 2019

    Photo= Staff of Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-ha Research Institute inviting event visitors to answer the questionnaire (November 2017, INTEX OSAKA, Suminoe Ward, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture)

    Negative Impression of Priests Due to Money?
    Survey by Hongwanji-ha Research Institute
    5 December 2018

    Photo= Worshippers light candles in front of stone towers in the precincts at dusk (August 22, Injo-ji Temple, Kamiyama-cho, Higashiomi City, Shiga Prefecture)

    Precincts Dyed by Candles at Stone Images
    "Manto Kuyo" Ritual at Injo-ji Temple, Shiga Prefecture
    2 September 2018

News Archive
  • March 2023
  • February 2023
  • December 2022
  • October 2022
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • More...
Categories
  • Sightseeing/Events
  • Temples/Shrines
  • Tradition/Culture
  • Local topics
  • Education/University
  • Business/Company
  • Traffic
  • Gourmet
  • 1min Kyoto
  • Kyoto
  • Shiga
Web site
Introducing Privacy Policy Japanese Site
Copyright © 1995-2023 The Kyoto Shimbun Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.
We use cookies for a number of reasons, such as keeping our websites reliable and secure, providing social media features and to analyze the performance of ads. Accept & continue Read More
Privacy Policy