In some temples, the dragon is depicted as the guardian deity of Buddhism. It is also drawn on folding screens and bran, but the most impressive one is the ceiling painting.
The dragon drawn on the ceiling captures the eyes of the viewer and makes you feel as if you are looking into your heart. Not only the touch of the picture but also the distance to the ceiling is different depending on the temple, so you can enjoy various viewing points.
Kenninji Temple
Kenninji Temple, with its beautiful dry landscape garden and Japanese garden, is an oasis-like temple where you can relax even in Gion. Two dragons that fill the entire ceiling are drawn in the precincts. In 2002, in commemoration of the 800th anniversary of the founding of Kenninji Temple, a magnificent work by Japanese-style painter Junsaku Koizumi over the course of about two years. When you step into the temple, you can see everyone taking a breather.
Myoshinji Temple
Myoshinji Temple is a large temple complex in northwestern Kyoto which includes about 50 sub-temples in addition to its main buildings. The dragon painting at Myoshinji Temple is called “Unryuzu” and was created by the painter Kano Tanyu in the early Edo period over eight years. It is said to be a dragon of Everywhere glares, and even if the viewer changes the viewing location or angle, the dragon changes its movement and facial expression to catch the viewer’s eyes. Pay attention to the glaring expression.
天龍寺
Tenryuji Temple is the most important temple in Kyoto’s Arashiyama district. It was ranked first among the city’s five great Zen temples and is now registered as a world heritage site. The dragon painting of Tenryuji Temple is also said to be the “Dragon of Everywhere glares” like the Myoshinji Temple.
It was drawn by Japanese-style painter Matazo Kayama as a commemorative project for the 650th anniversary of the opening of Tenryuji Temple, Muso Soseki. The distance between the floor and the ceiling of Tenryuji is even more impressive.
The point of interest is the dragon’s claws. There are five dragon claws at Tenryuji Temple, which is called the “Five Claw Dragon”. This has been considered to be an existence only allowed to the emperor. The fact that such a “dragon of five claws” was drawn on this Tenryuji temple shows that he is proud of its venerable name, and to the Emperor Godaigo, who was the catalyst for the birth of this temple. It may be awe-inspiring.
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