Hojujidono
Encyclopedia
The was a Buddhist temple in Kyoto
which was, for a time, the home of the Cloistered
Emperor Go-Shirakawa
.
The temple was originally built and founded, as 'Hōjūji', by Fujiwara Tamemitsu in 988. However, it was destroyed in 1032.
In 1158, Emperor Go-Shirakawa abdicated in favor of his son Emperor Nijō
and made the Hōjūjiden his home, entering cloistered rule. However, in 1183, Go-Shirakawa was informed by Minamoto no Yukiie
that Minamoto no Yoshinaka
intended to kidnap him, forming a new government to the north, and using his possession of the cloistered emperor to justify his rule. The emperor informed Minamoto no Yoshitsune
and Noriyori
, in turn, asking for their aid in stopping Yoshinaka. But they failed; Yoshinaka seized Kyoto
in December of 1183 and attacked the palace/monastery in 1184. He set fire to the buildings, slaughtered many of the occupants, and seized the person of the emperor (see Siege of Hōjūjidono
).
The temple has since been rebuilt, and now houses the tomb of Emperor Go-Shirakawa. It is also closely related to the Sanjusangen-dō
.
Kyoto
is a city in the central part of the island of Honshū, Japan. It has a population close to 1.5 million. Formerly the imperial capital of Japan, it is now the capital of Kyoto Prefecture, as well as a major part of the Osaka-Kobe-Kyoto metropolitan area.-History:...
which was, for a time, the home of the Cloistered
Cloistered rule
The Insei system , or cloistered rule, was a specific form of government in Japan during the Heian period. In this bifurcated system, an Emperor abdicated, but he retained power and influence. The emperors who withdrew to live in monasteries continued to act in ways which were intended to...
Emperor Go-Shirakawa
Emperor Go-Shirakawa
Emperor Go-Shirakawa was the 77th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession...
.
The temple was originally built and founded, as 'Hōjūji', by Fujiwara Tamemitsu in 988. However, it was destroyed in 1032.
In 1158, Emperor Go-Shirakawa abdicated in favor of his son Emperor Nijō
Emperor Nijo
Emperor Nijō was the 78th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. His reign spaned the years from 1158 through 1165.- Genealogy :...
and made the Hōjūjiden his home, entering cloistered rule. However, in 1183, Go-Shirakawa was informed by Minamoto no Yukiie
Minamoto no Yukiie
was the brother of Minamoto no Yoshitomo, and one of the commanders of the Minamoto forces in the Genpei War at the end of the Heian period of Japanese history....
that Minamoto no Yoshinaka
Minamoto no Yoshinaka
was a general of the late Heian Period of Japanese history. A member of the Minamoto samurai clan, Minamoto no Yoritomo was his cousin and rival during the Genpei War between the Minamoto and the Taira clans....
intended to kidnap him, forming a new government to the north, and using his possession of the cloistered emperor to justify his rule. The emperor informed Minamoto no Yoshitsune
Minamoto no Yoshitsune
was a general of the Minamoto clan of Japan in the late Heian and early Kamakura period. Yoshitsune was the ninth son of Minamoto no Yoshitomo, and the third and final son and child that Yoshitomo would father with Tokiwa Gozen. Yoshitsune's older brother Minamoto no Yoritomo founded the Kamakura...
and Noriyori
Minamoto no Noriyori
was a late Heian period general, who fought alongside his brothers Minamoto no Yoritomo and Minamoto no Yoshitsune at a number of battles of the Genpei War. The sixth son of Minamoto no Yoshitomo, he was spared along with his brothers in 1160 by Taira no Kiyomori following Yoshitomo's death.He...
, in turn, asking for their aid in stopping Yoshinaka. But they failed; Yoshinaka seized Kyoto
Kyoto
is a city in the central part of the island of Honshū, Japan. It has a population close to 1.5 million. Formerly the imperial capital of Japan, it is now the capital of Kyoto Prefecture, as well as a major part of the Osaka-Kobe-Kyoto metropolitan area.-History:...
in December of 1183 and attacked the palace/monastery in 1184. He set fire to the buildings, slaughtered many of the occupants, and seized the person of the emperor (see Siege of Hōjūjidono
Siege of Hojujidono
The 1184 siege of the Hōjūjidono was part of Japan's Genpei War, and was a key element of the conflict between Minamoto no Yoshinaka and his cousins Yoritomo and Yoshitsune for control of the Minamoto clan....
).
The temple has since been rebuilt, and now houses the tomb of Emperor Go-Shirakawa. It is also closely related to the Sanjusangen-dō
Sanjusangen-do
is a Buddhist temple in Higashiyama District of Kyoto, Japan. Officially known as "Rengeō-in" , or Hall of the Lotus King, Sanjūsangen-dō belongs to and is run by the Myoho-in temple, a part of the Tendai school of Buddhism. The temple name literally means Hall with thirty three spaces between...
.
See also
- For an explanation of terms concerning Japanese Buddhism, Japanese Buddhist art, and Japanese Buddhist temple architecture, see the Glossary of Japanese BuddhismGlossary of Japanese BuddhismThis is the glossary of Japanese Buddhism, including major terms the casual reader might find useful in understanding articles on the subject. Words followed by an asterisk are illustrated by an image in one of the photo galleries...
.