- Address: 1-11-18 Shitennoji, Tennoji Ward, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture 543-0051, Japan
- Phone: +81 6-6771-0066
- Official website: shitennoj.or.jp
- Year of foundation: 593
Sitannoji (Sitenno-Dzi, Sitenno-Dzi) is one of the oldest temples in Japan . It is also known as the "temple of the four heavenly masters". The sanctuary was built by the decree of Prince Shotoku, who contributed to the spread of Buddhism in the country. Sitannoji was the center of the main Buddhist school of Japan Tendai. Since its inception, XV centuries have passed, but it still remains one of the main temples in the country. It is located in the city of Osaka.
The uneasy fate of the temple
The temple was founded in 593. It was erected immediately after the victory of the awakening forces over the Shinto troops, therefore it is a symbol of the most important event in the religious life of the East. In the VI century, it was a wooden structure, the architecture of which bore the imprint of Chinese culture. The complex consisted of the Five-story Pagoda, the Golden and Lecture Halls and several office rooms, where parishioners could turn for various kinds of help.
In the first half of the IX century in Sitnonji, lightning struck, after which the church needed restoration. But a little more than a century burned the main premises of the temple complex. Since that time, the original view of Sitannoji can only be seen in old paintings and chronicles.
Large-scale restoration of the temple occurred in the XI century. After that, he began to visit the Japanese aristocracy. In Sitnonji, religious personalities, the founders of Japanese schools, studied.
The temple existed peacefully until 1576. During the fighting, he burnt. In 1614, the restored building again destroyed the fire. Three hundred years later the temple was again destroyed, this time as a result of the bombardment. The last restoration began in 1957 and lasted 6 years. This time the whole complex was rebuilt from reinforced concrete, not from wood.
What is included in the Sitannoji?
To date, the structure of Sitannoji differs from that of Prince Shotoku:
- The Paradise Gate, the Gates of Nio, the Five-story Pagoda, the Golden and Lecture Halls are as close to the style of the buildings of the 6th century;
- The Shotoku Pavilion, dedicated to the ruler who founded Buddhism in Japan, was built later;
- The morning hall was founded in 1623;
- The bright pavilion of the five wisdoms was founded in 1617;
- The stone thorium was built in 1294.
Interesting facts about Sitannoji are the following:
- This is the first temple in Japan, which was built at the expense of the state.
- On the territory of the temple is a treasury. In it are kept sculptures, art objects and other values associated with Sitannoji.
- Next to the temple is the Gokuraku-jodo park, which was created in accordance with the description of the West Paradise Buddha Amida.
- Citennoji's treasury is open during breaks between exhibitions, therefore, planning to visit the temple only once, you will need to make a choice.
How to get there?
You can get to the temple by car. In front of the main entrance there is paid parking, the cost of which is $ 3.50 per hour in the daytime and $ 1.75 at night.
Also near Sitnonodzi in Osaka there are several railway stations:
- railway line JR - station "Kajo-sen";
- Osaka subway station - Shitenno-ji mae yuhigaoka;
- line "Minamiosaka", railway "Kinkinihontetsudo" - station "Abenobasi".