Sanjusangen-do Temple (Rengeo-in), Kyoto

The Sanjusangen-do Temple also popularly known as Rengeo-in, is a temple in Kyoto famous for having the longest wooden structure in the world. That structure, the main hall of the temple, is what gave Sanjusangen-do its name: "sanjusan" means thirty-three, and that number refers to the 33 spaces between the building's pillars.

Lined on both sides of the long wooden hall are one thousand statues of the Kannon (the Japanese version of Kuan Yin, the goddess of mercy). Each is identical to the other, so a walk down the hall affords a most exciting visual experience.

At the end of the hall is the central statue, the image of a One-Thousand-Arm Kannon. It was carved by a master sculptor, Tankei, in 1254, when he was already 82 years old. Upon the head of the Kannon are ten more heads, including a miniature Amida Buddha. Each Kannon is believed to have 33 manifestations, or avatars, so within the Sanjusangen-do Temple the faithful can invoke the mercy of 33,033 Kannons.

The Sanjusangen-do Temple holds an archery contest for young women. They are to shoot the arrow from one end of the veranda of the main hall to the other. This takes place on the Sunday before the Coming of Age Day, a Japanese holiday held annually on the second Monday of January.

Sanjusangen-do, Kyoto


Women Coming-of-Age Archery Contest, Sanjusangen-do Temple, Kyoto

How to reach Sanjusangen-do Temple

Take the subway to the Keihan Nanajo Station.

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