Tofuku-ji

Temple · Kyoto

Enichizan Tofuku-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

Named with one character each from Nara’s Todai-ji and Kofuku-ji, and built over nineteen years from 1236.

The halls and covered bridge of Tofuku-ji above its wooded ravine. — 663highland / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.5)

Quick facts

Address: 15-778 Honmachi, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto

About this place

Tofuku-ji stands in Higashiyama, Kyoto. The regent Kujo Michiie, wishing for something to compare with Todai-ji, Nara’s largest temple, and to rival Kofuku-ji, the grandest there, took the character To from one and Fuku from the other and raised a great temple complex in Kyoto. It was built from 1236 to 1255 — nineteen years in all. In 1243 Shoichi Kokushi, the monk Enni Ben’en, was received as founding abbot.

Origin and history

Tofuku-ji was raised by the regent Kujo Michiie, who wished for something to compare with Todai-ji, the largest temple in Nara, and to rival Kofuku-ji, the grandest there, and so took the character To from one and Fuku from the other for a great complex in Kyoto.

It was built from 1236 to 1255 — nineteen years in all.

In 1243 Shoichi Kokushi, the monk Enni Ben’en, was received as founding abbot.

What it is locally associated with

Origin
A character from each great temple
Wishing to compare with Todai-ji and rival Kofuku-ji, Michiie took To from one and Fuku from the other.
documented history
Origin
Nineteen years of building
Construction ran from 1236 to 1255 — nineteen years in all.
documented history
Origin
A founding abbot in 1243
Shoichi Kokushi, the monk Enni Ben’en, was received as founding abbot in 1243.
documented history

This temple’s name is its ambition, written out. Todai-ji, the largest temple in Nara; Kofuku-ji, the grandest. Kujo Michiie wanted something in the capital to stand beside them, and took one character from each.

It did not stop at the name. Building ran from 1236 to 1255 — nineteen years, spent making the name true.

The founding abbot arrived partway through, in 1243. No category of prayer is attached to this page: what the temple records is the building of it.

Claims and evidence levels 3

Tofuku-ji was raised by the regent Kujo Michiie, who took one character each from Nara’s Todai-ji and Kofuku-ji for its name. documented history
It was built from 1236 to 1255, nineteen years in all. documented history
In 1243 Shoichi Kokushi, the monk Enni Ben’en, was received as founding abbot. documented history

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