自転車で萬福寺へManpukuji Temple is a fascinating temple in Uji, Japan, that encapsulates much of the history of the region.
It was founded by Ingen, a Chinese monk who was the head priest at a temple in Fujian, China.
Yinyuan Longqi (aka, Ingen) founded Manpukuji in 1661, and it was led thereafter by a series of Chinese monks.
The buildings in the complex, even to the non-trained eye, appear Chinese in style.
The arrival of the priests who founded the temple took place during Japan's Period of National Isolation (sakoku), during which Japanese were prohibited from leaving Japan and foreigners were barred from entering all but a very small slice of Nagasaki.
However, the zen priest Ingen managed to enter Japan with a large entourage - and then create Manpukuji Temple.
In so doing, Chinese culture - calligraphy, painting, sculpture, tea, and architecture - were introduced to Japan.
To this day, Uji is a center of tea farming and culture, which dates to the arrival of Ingen.
Manpukuji can be cycled from central Kyoto in about one hour. For details and a map, see the Uji page.
Information
Manpukuji Shrine
34 Samban-wari, Gokanosho, Uji-shi, 611-0011
Tel: 0774 32 3900
Open 9 am to 4:30 pm daily.
Admission: 500 yen
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