May 16, 2013 - 1 min read

Tochoji Temple in Hakata

Temple established by Buddhist monk Kukai in 806

By Tony Mariani

Community writer

A place to purify yourself for your visit

The path to the largest wooden Buddha in Japan built in 1992

The largest wooden Buddha in Japan

Kukai, otherwise known as Kobo Daishi, a saint of the Shingon Buddhist sect

The five storied pagoda at Tochoji Temple

Inside the Tocho-ji compound

Large prayer beads hang from the roof. Turning them brings devotees merit.

The pagoda from below

The main hall of the temple

An incense burner stands in front of the entrance to Tocho-ji

A touching scene of antique Buddha statues that are still venerated today

A detail of the tiling on the temple enclosure

The burial place for three samurai lords of the Kuroda clan

It is said that Tocho-ji (東長寺) was dedicated to the Buddhist saint Kukai who built it in 806. In the temple cemetery Tadayuki (the second lord of the Kuroda clan in the Edo period [1602-1654]), Mitsuyuki (the third lord [1628-1707]) and Harutaka (the eighth lord [1754-1782]) are interred. They were originally buried in this temple and are still there. The latter Heian period (794-1185) wooden statue of Kannon inside the temple is a nationally designated Important Cultural Property, as are the hexagonal building and graves at the city-designated level. Furthermore, the temple also contains the largest seated wooden statue of Buddha in Japan.

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Tony Mariani

By Tony Mariani

Community writer

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