Seikanji Temple

A Shingon sect Chisan temple located in Seikanji Yamanouchi-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto City. The principal image is the Eleven-Headed Thousand-Armed Kannon Bodhisattva. It is known as "Uta no Nakayama". It was founded as a Tendai sect temple by Jokei in 802 (Enryaku 21). It later fell into ruin, but was rebuilt by Saeki Kinyuki during the reign of Emperor Ichijo. It was later burned down during the Onin War, but was restored and maintained by Seisho of Negoro-ji Temple in Kishu (Wakayama) during the Keicho era (1596-1615), who converted to Shingon Buddhism at that time. Uta no Nakayama is the name of the mountain path from this temple to Kiyomizu-ji Temple, and it has been a place that has been sung about in songs since ancient times as a famous spot for flowers and autumn leaves. According to "Illustrated Guide to Famous Places in the Capital," long ago, when the monk Shinen Sozu was moved by a beautiful woman passing in front of the temple gate at dusk, he asked her the way to Kiyomizu. The woman scolded him, saying, "Even looking at you makes you confused, but how can you know the path of sincerity?" and disappeared. This is said to be the origin of the name "Uta no Nakayama." Within the temple grounds are the tombs of Emperor Rokujo and Takakura, and the grave of Emperor Takakura's favorite concubine, Kogo no Tsubone.

[Akiko Sobue]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

京都市東山区清閑寺山ノ内町にある真言(しんごん)宗智山(ちさん)派の寺。本尊は十一面千手観世音菩薩(せんじゅかんぜおんぼさつ)。「歌の中山(なかやま)」の名で知られている。802年（延暦21）紹継(じょうけい)が天台宗寺院として創建。のち荒廃したが、一条(いちじょう)天皇のとき佐伯公行が再建した。のち応仁(おうにん)の乱で焼失したが慶長(けいちょう)年間（1596～1615）に紀州（和歌山）根来(ねごろ)寺の性盛が復興・修営し、このとき真言宗に改宗した。歌の中山とは当寺から清水(きよみず)寺へ至る間の山路の称で、古来、花と紅葉の名所として歌に詠まれた地である。『都名所図会』によると、昔、真燕僧都(しんえんそうず)が夕暮れ門前を行く美女に心を動かされて清水へ行く道を尋ねると、女人は「見るにだに迷う心のはかなくて誠の道をいかで知るべき」とたしなめて姿が見えなくなったとあり、「歌の中山」の名の由来とされている。境内には六条(ろくじょう)天皇陵、高倉(たかくら)天皇陵、高倉天皇の寵姫(ちょうき)小督局(こごうのつぼね)の墓がある。

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