Tenryu-ji

Temple · Kyoto

Reigizan Tenryu-ji

Researched and translated with AI assistance. Every claim is linked to its source, but errors get through, so check the official site for opening times, fees and closures.About

In short

Built in 1339 by Ashikaga Takauji, with Muso Soseki as founding abbot, to pray for the soul of Emperor Go-Daigo.

The halls of Tenryu-ji looking across the Sogenchi garden at Arashiyama. — osakaosaka / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Quick facts

Address: 68 Sagatenryuji Susukinobabacho, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto

About this place

Tenryu-ji stands at Arashiyama in Ukyo, Kyoto. It was founded in 1339 with Ashikaga Takauji as patron and Muso Soseki as founding abbot. The purpose of the founding was to pray for the repose of Emperor Go-Daigo. It is inscribed as World Heritage among the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto.

Origin and history

Tenryu-ji was founded in 1339, the second year of Ryakuo, with Ashikaga Takauji as patron and Muso Soseki as founding abbot. The purpose of the founding was to pray for the repose of Emperor Go-Daigo.

It is inscribed as World Heritage among the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto.

What it is locally associated with

Origin
To pray for Go-Daigo’s repose
The temple records that the purpose of the founding was to pray for the repose of Emperor Go-Daigo.
documented history
Origin
1339, Takauji and Muso Soseki
Founded in 1339 with Ashikaga Takauji as patron and Muso Soseki as founding abbot.
documented history
Power spot
World Heritage
Inscribed among the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto.
documented history

The first thing the temple’s account puts down is who it was built for: to pray for the repose of Emperor Go-Daigo.

The man who built it was Ashikaga Takauji — the one who had driven that emperor from the capital. The temple sets the two facts side by side and offers no explanation. Neither does this page.

No category of prayer is attached here. The devotion recorded is not something a visitor receives; it is directed at one particular dead man.

Claims and evidence levels 3

Tenryu-ji was founded in 1339 with Ashikaga Takauji as patron and Muso Soseki as founding abbot. documented history
The temple records that the purpose of the founding was to pray for the repose of Emperor Go-Daigo. documented history
It is inscribed as World Heritage among the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto. documented history

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