Myokoji Temple

Located in Myokyo-ji, Yamato-cho, Ichinomiya City, Aichi Prefecture, this temple is of the Myoshinji school of the Rinzai sect. It is called Nagashima-san, but its correct name is Myokyo Hoon-zenji. It was founded in 1348 (Shohei 3, Sadawa 4) by Metsu Shuso-ko. It became a temple at the request of Emperor Go-Kogon, and the seven halls were completed. It became the central Zen temple in Owari Province after successive generations of the Ashikaga family converted to it. It is currently a training center specializing in the Myoshinji school. There are many cultural assets, including the Imperial Envoy Gate built in 1366 (Shohei 21, Joji 5), the silk colored painting of Buddha's Nirvana, the paper colored statue of Ashikaga Yoshinori, the silk ink painting of White-robed Kannon, the silk colored statues of the Sixteen Arhats, and the wooden seated statue of Daio Kokushi (Kaisando), which have been designated as National Important Cultural Properties, and the bell tower and other buildings have been designated as Prefectural Cultural Properties.

[Akira Suganuma]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

愛知県一宮(いちのみや)市大和(やまと)町妙興寺にある臨済(りんざい)宗妙心寺派の寺。長島山と号し、正しくは妙興報恩禅寺という。1348年（正平3・貞和4）滅宗宗興(めつしゅうそうこう)の創建。後光厳(ごこうごん)天皇の勅願寺となって七堂伽藍(がらん)が完成。足利(あしかが)家歴代の帰依(きえ)を受け尾張(おわり)一国の中心的禅刹(ぜんさつ)となった。現在、妙心寺派専門道場となっている。多くの文化財があり、1366年（正平21・貞治5）建立の勅使門、絹本着色仏涅槃(ねはん)図、紙本着色足利義教(よしのり)像、絹本墨画白衣観音(びゃくえかんのん)図、絹本着色十六羅漢像、木造大応国師坐像(ざぞう)（開山堂）などは国重要文化財、鐘楼などが県文化財に指定されている。

［菅沼　晃］

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