Dojoji Buddhist Temple (2024)

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About Dōjōji Buddhist Temple

Tenonzan Dōjōji Temple is the oldest temple in Wakayama Prefecture, founded in 701.
There are important cultural properties such as the Main Hall and other buildings, and Buddhist statues designated as national treasures and cultural properties enshrined in the complex.

Buddha statue

National Treasure

The Thousand-armed Avalokiteśvara
(Principal Image)

Early Heian Period (782-850)
Wooden and lacquered
3.20 m high
National Treasure

The Sunlight Bodhisattva
(Flanking Attendant)

Early Heian Period (782-850)
Wooden and lacquered
2.52 m high
National Treasure

The Moonlight Bodhisattva
(Flanking Attendant)
See Also
Dojoji Temple (1976)Doujou-ji - Anime - AniDB

Early Heian Period (782-850)
Wooden and lacquered
2.42 m high
Important Cultural Property

The Eleven-faced Avalokiteśvara

Early Heian Period (782-900)
Wooden and lacquered
1.32 m high
Vaiśravaṇa

Early Heian Period (782-900)
Wooden and colored
1.86 m high
Important Cultural Property

Virūpākṣa
(One of the Four Heavenly Kings)

Early Heian Period (782-900)
Wooden and colored
2.46 m high
Important Cultural Property

Vaiśravaṇa Emerged in the Country of Tobatsu

Early Heian Period (782-900)
Wooden and colored
2.35 m high
Prefectural Designated Cultural Property

Śākyamuni

Kamakura Period (1185-1333)
Wooden and lacquered
2.26 m high
Important Cultural Property

Virūḍhaka
(One of the Four Heavenly Kings)

Early Heian Period (782-900)
Wooden and colored
1.86 m high
The statue of the Gokōshii Amida Nyorai

Edo Period (1603–1868)
Wooden and lacquered
1.20 m high
Important Cultural Property

The standing statue of the Thousand-Armed Avalokiteśvara

Late Nara Period (710–794)
Wood-core dry lacquer
2.40 m high

Dojoji Mono

The story of Anchin and Kiyohime became the subject of Nohgaku and Kabuki plays, giving rise to plays called “Dojoji Mono”. The number is well over 100.

Noh Play

The origin of the Dōjōji works is the Noh play Kanemaki and Dōjōji.It is one of the most important plays in Noh as well as a gateway to success for young Noh actors.
Kabuki Play

Among the Dōjōji works, Kyōganoko Musume Dōjōji is the most popular.Ninin Dōjōji, Yakko Dōjōji, and Keisei Dōjōji, are among the others.
Bunraku (Japanese Puppet Theater)

Compared to the Noh play Dōjōji and the Kabuki play Kyōganoko Musume Dōjōji, which were created as sequels to the legend of Anchin and Kiyohime, the Bunraku play Hidakagawa Iriaizakura is closer to the original story, with the appearance of Kiyohime in the play.It is a grand play called Tōshi Kyōgen, where all acts are performed just as in the original. Nowadays, Hidakagawa Watashiba no Dan is often played when it is performed as a one-act play.
Musume Dōjōji - Jaen no Koi (Flaming Love of Snake)

The legend of Anchin and Kiyohime was cinematized with Anchin to Kiyohime (Anchin and Kiyohime), starring Raizō Ichikawa and Ayako Wakao in 1960 and Musume Dōjōji - Jaen no Koi (Love of the Snake Demon), starring Fukusuke Nakamura and Riho Makise in 2004.

Story

Kaminagahime, the Long-Haired Princess

The legend behind the foundation of Dōjōji Temple and the story of Kaminagahime, the Long-haired Princess (Fujiwara no Miyako).
This is another tale that has been passed down together with the story of Anchin and Kiyohime.

Anchin & Kiyohime’s Tragic Love Story

Anchin and Kiyohime’s tragic love story dates back to the year 928, 230 years after the temple’s foundation.Kiyohime falls in love at first sight with Anchin, a monk who stayed one night at her family’s house on his pilgrimage.When she realizes that Anchin has broken his promise of stopping by on his way back, a furious Kiyohime turns into a giant snake and chases after him.
“The Story of Anchin and Kiyohime,” the tragic love story with the epilogue that Kiyohime burns Anchin to death after he escaped and hid in Dōjōji’s temple bell, was compiled into Hokke Genki in the 11th century, and is well known as the Dōjōji works in the Noh play, Ningyojōruri (Japanese puppet theater), and Kabuki.

Lecture with Picture Scroll Narrative

At the Engidō Hall, the story of Anchin and Kiyohime is narrated with a manuscript of the picture scroll Dōjōji Engi unfolded before the audience.
It has been offered over 2,000 times a year and for even just one person to 150 people almost every hour every day.
No booking is required for individuals, but is for travel agencies and groups of 20 people or more.
For more information, learn here.

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Lecture with Picture Scroll Narrative for Individuals

The Lecture with the Picture Scroll Narrative (Approx. 20 min.)
Upon request and without booking, the abbot or a staff member will give a commentary about the story of Anchin and Kiyohime with the unfolded picture scroll between 9 am and 4 pm every day, all year round.

Visit Dōjōji Temple

Say “I would like to listen to the lecture with the picture scroll narrative” at the entrance of the Engidō Hall

Pay the admission of 700 yen for adults or 350 yen for children

Listen to the lecture

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Digital Picture Scroll Narrative
(Approx. 5 min.)

High-resolution images of the picture scroll can be viewed on a touch screen displayed in the Engidō Hall.

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Viewing Hōbutsuden (Treasure Hall)
(5-15 min.)

Over 20 statues, including the principal image and national treasure, the Thousand-Armed Avalokiteśvara, can be viewed here.If you have limited time, you may listen to commentaries about the major statues through the on-demand audio guide.