Jurin-in Temple

Overview

Jurin-in is a historic temple of the Daigo school of the Shingon sect, located in Nara City, Nara Prefecture. Its main hall, constructed during the Kamakura period, is a designated National Treasure. This hall is characterized by its residential-style architecture of the time, offering a tranquil atmosphere where visitors can sense the weight of history. The powerful Kamakura-style gabled brackets (gamaku) on the facade, the under-eave bracketing, and the details of the Daibutsu-yo style are all highlights. The low profile of the building, the wide veranda (hiroen) at the front with sliding doors (shitomido), and the overall residential design are also distinctive features. Behind the main hall sits a precious stone Buddhist reliquary. This is a cabinet-style reliquary made of granite, meticulously carving a Jizo Bosatsu (Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva) statue at its center, along with images of the Ten Kings, Kannon (Avalokiteshvara), and Fudo Myoo (Acala). These sculptures represent the pinnacle of Buddhist art from that era, boasting exceptionally high artistic merit and historical value. While the central Jizo Bosatsu dates to the early Kamakura period, other images are believed to be slightly later in date. Jurin-in stands in Nara-machi, a historic district preserving Edo and Meiji-era townscapes, creating a serene and historic atmosphere. Spend some time in this tranquil setting. The temple is also recommended as a sightseeing spot to deepen your understanding of Nara's history and culture, as it's situated near famous temples such as Kofuku-ji and Todai-ji.