Students Hiyoshi

Kaigenin
(Soutou-syuu Yousouzan Kaigenin)

Kaigenin was built in Muromachi period. The real name of the temple is "Soutou-syuu Yousouzan Kaigenin". The structures of the entrance have been in there for 562 years. Four years are needed to make all the structures. Most of the main structures now we can see were built about 300 years ago. This is because the main temple was burned in a fire at that time. Mr.Tomoyasu Henmi, he is the Buddhist priest of Kaigenin, is the thirty-third Priest of the Buddhist temple. The following story is why the temple was made in there.

 

One day, Mr. Yorimoto Toki, he is the lord of Tsuruga Castle, was walking around in Hiraiwa, where it is still wilderness. He went into the mountain because he wanted to hunt with a falcon. On his way to go there, he happened to meet with a young trainee monk. He was sitting in Zen, meditating desperately on a rock. Lord Yorimoto was moved to see the serious state. He provided the large land and a lot of money, then he found the temple and he invited the young monk. The temple was named "Kaigenin". "Kai" means open. And "gen" is from the name "Yorimato". When we use kanji to write "Yorimoto", "moto" is the same letter as "gen". "In"means big temple. Then the name "Kaigenin" means "the temple opened by Yorimoto". The monk was called "Gessensyouin" after he ester to the temple.

Another famous story of this temple is about the third Priest of this temple. His name is Cyoukichi Manshitsu. He was a poor burglar. One early morning, Gessensyouin heard a rustling sound. He walked to the kitchen and he found the burglar. The moment the burglar felt to finish cutting the neck of Gessensyouin with his katana, he could see the wooden idol neck was cut. The burglar was very surprised and he asked Geddensyouin, "I want to be apprenticed to you. Please accept ." He worked harder and harder, Gessensyouin told to him that you are the third Priest. For this reason he became third Priest Cyoukichi Manshitsu.

"Kokage kyoushitsu" is traditional event for us. It was given every summer. "kokage" means the shade of trees and "kyoushistu" means class. We learn okyou (how to recite a sutra), Zen meditation in a cross-legged position), and we play some games in this class. Two of our class go to this class every year.

[ click here for more Kaigenin photos ]