Eigen-ji

Eigen-ji is a Buddhist temple of the Rinzai school located in Higashiōmi. Founded in 1361 by Jakushitsu Genkō, a poet and roshi, it was the head temple of one of the 14 Rinzai branches, boasting 56 chapels and over 2,000 priests at its height. The temple was damaged during the Onin War, with many Kyoto priests seeking refuge there, but it burned down twice in 1492 and 1563, leading to its decline. In the Edo period, abbot Isshi Bunshu revitalized the temple with support from Emperor Go-Mizunoo. In 1873, Eigen-ji became a branch of the Tofuku-ji Rinzai school, but gained independence in 1880. Today, as the head temple of the Eigen-ji branch of Rinzai Zen, it oversees over 120 temples and a monastery. The main statue at Eigen-ji is the Yotsugi Kannon, which is a hibutsu, a type of Buddhist statue that is typically not shown to the public.