Toeizan Kan'eiji Temple

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Toeizan in Ueno, By Tamagawa Shucho, Edo period, 18-19th century

Japanese Gallery (Honkan) Room 16
October 12, 2011 (Wed) - November 20, 2011 (Sun)

Toeizan Kan'eiji temple was founded in 1625 (Kan'ei 2) by the Buddhist priest Tenkai, also known as Jigen Daishi (Grand Master), who served the early Tokugawa shoguns. The temple was permitted by the emperor to be named "Kan'ei", the name of the era in which it was founded. Successive chief priests were nominated from among Imperial princes, who were concurrently the chief priests of both Enryakuji and Nikko and were called "Rinnoji no Miya (Imperial Priest of Rinnoji)". The site of the temple spread over the whole of Ueno Hill and was also a popular destination for leisure for Edo residents. The temple lost most of its buildings due to the battle in Ueno at the time of the Meiji Restoration, and most of the site was turned into a public park including museums and a zoo, yet despite this Kan'eiji has upheld its religious mission of Tendai Buddhism up to the present day.

This exhibition looks back into the history of Kan'eiji, namely its founding, prosperity, and popularity in the Edo period.

Major works in this exhibition

* Works listed below are in the TNM Collection unless otherwise indicated.

Rule of November Memorial Service for Zhi-yi, By Tenkai, Edo period, 17th century
Wooden Printing Type, Tenkai Edition, Edo period, 17th century (Lent by Kan'eiji, Important Cultural Property)
Cannonball Fired in the Battle of 1868 found in Ueno Park, Meiji period, 19th century (Gift of Mr. Kashima Heikichi)