What is Sanjusangendo?

Sanjusangendo is a Buddhist temple located about 1.5 km east of Kyoto station.The formal name is "The main hall of Rengeou-in temple".The north side faces Shichijo Street, and there is Kyoto National Museum to the north.In 1165, a large temple with many buildings was completed.But it was destroyed by fire in 1249, then only the main hall was rebuilt in 1266.

It is current Sanjusangendo."Sanjusangendo" means "temple with 33 column spacings".The 33 column spacings are set up inside the temple, and we see 35 column spacings outside of the temple.

This temple has such many columns, so it is very long. The length is about 121 meters.In this long temple, there are a stunning number of Buddha statues.

There is a statue of the Goddess of Kannon with many arms in the center of the temple.It was created in 1254, and its height is 3.35 meters. It is a national treasure.And 1,000 statues are set up on the both side of the main large statue.

They are also statues of the Goddess of Kannon with many arms.All of them are about 1.6-1.7 meters high, and it is said that each statue was created by a different sculptor around the 13th century.

All of them are arranged in 10 rows orderly.(There is another statue behind the main large statue, so the total number is 1,001.)It is said that one of them has a face similar to you.But, taking photos is prohibited in the temple.

Do you like Manga?

Do you know Kyoto International Manga Museum?

Few museums are as hands-on as this old elementary school turned shrine to manga, or comic books, and its collection of some 300,000 comics and manga-related exhibits. Visitors can read any piece of manga they fancy from the towering wooden bookcases that line every wall and hallway.

The Museum was developed based on the concept of Public-Private Partnership (PPP). The development plan was formulated jointly by the City and University, and the land and building were provided by the City.

Under supervision by the steering committee consisting of representatives from both the City and University, the University manages and operates the Museum, making full use of its research accomplishments and accumulated know-how. 

The Museum acts as a venue for the collection, preservation and exhibition of manga and animation materials, which have been accumulated through generous donation from both individuals and companies.Collected materials will be used for systematic research and study. 

Through research and other manga-related activities, the Museum is expected to contribute to various areas, including lifelong learning, tourism promotion, human development and the creation of a new industry. The Museum is also expected to contribute to cultural activities of local communities in various ways. The Museum has been attracting a great deal of attention as a pioneering project that provides an example that could be followed in other regions.