The History of Raikyuji Temple
The exact date of the temple’s original founding is unknown. In 1339, however, Ashikaga Takauji restored it as Ankokuji Temple of Bitchu Province and invited the Zen master Jakushitsu Genko, also known as Shoto Kokushi, to become its first founding abbot.
Jakushitsu Genko was born in Mimasaka in 1290. He entered the Buddhist priesthood at the age of 13 and traveled to Yuan China at 31, where the Zen master Zhongfeng Mingben bestowed upon him the religious name Jakushitsu. He returned to Japan in 1326 and traveled throughout the Bitchu and Bingo regions, spreading the teachings of Zen Buddhism.
During the Eisho era (1504–1521), Yorihisa Ueno, the lord of Bitchu Matsuyama Castle, became the temple’s principal patron and supported improvements to its facilities. After his death in 1521, the temple was renamed Ankoku Raikyuji in his honor. His grave remains on the temple grounds.
The grounds also contain memorial monuments dedicated to three generations of the Mimura family: Iechika, Motichika, and Katsuhoshimaru. These monuments commemorate the turbulent lives of the family members and add another layer of historical significance to the temple.
The Garden of Raikyuji Temple
A Masterpiece by Kobori Enshu
The temple garden is traditionally attributed to Kobori Enshu, the son of Kobori Masatsugu, who was appointed by Tokugawa Ieyasu to administer Bitchu Province after the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600. Enshu was renowned as a tea master, architect, and garden designer, and Raikyuji’s garden is considered an important example of his early work.
The garden is a Zen-style dry landscape garden designed around the concept of Horai, a mythical paradise in East Asian tradition. Looking south from the temple’s study hall, visitors can see a dramatic arrangement of azalea shrubs on the left, carefully clipped and shaped to resemble vegetation growing along a steep cliff. Toward the center and rear are low artificial hills representing Crane Island and Turtle Island, symbols traditionally associated with longevity and good fortune.
The design reflects Enshu’s distinctive aesthetic, combining carefully arranged garden elements with the surrounding landscape. Mount Atago serves as a borrowed view, or shakkei, creating a visual connection between the garden and the natural scenery beyond its boundaries.
National Designation and Preservation
In 1974, the garden was designated a National Place of Scenic Beauty in recognition of its artistic design and historical importance. Through careful maintenance, it has retained the refined character of an early Edo-period garden. In 2009, the main hall, study hall, and other structures were additionally included in the designation.
A stone lantern standing 148 centimeters tall within the garden is also designated a cultural property by Takahashi City. Its presence contributes to the garden’s atmosphere and illustrates the historical value of the temple’s architectural and landscape features.
Cultural Properties of Raikyuji Temple
Raikyuji Garden — National Place of Scenic Beauty
The garden is celebrated as a dry landscape design attributed to Kobori Enshu. Its carefully arranged stones, features representing cranes and turtles, and richly clipped maple and azalea plantings create a composition that changes with the seasons. Visitors can appreciate the subtle beauty of traditional Japanese garden design throughout the year.
Silk Painting of the Shakyamuni Triad — Important Cultural Property
The temple preserves a silk painting depicting Shakyamuni Buddha accompanied by two attendant figures. Designated an Important Cultural Property of Japan, this work is a valuable example of Buddhist art and provides insight into the religious and artistic traditions associated with the temple.
Silk Portrait of Jakushitsu Genko — Okayama Prefecture Important Cultural Property
A portrait of the Zen master Jakushitsu Genko, known as a chinzo, is designated an Important Cultural Property by Okayama Prefecture. The painting is an important historical record of Zen Buddhism and preserves the memory of the monk who served as the temple’s founding abbot.
Raikyuji Stone Lantern — Takahashi City Cultural Property
The temple’s stone lantern is designated a cultural property by Takahashi City. It is a composite structure assembled from components dating to different periods. Its fire chamber and shaft include elements from the Nanboku-cho period (1336–1392), while its base and canopy date from the mid-Edo period or later. These differing components make the lantern particularly interesting as a record of the evolution of stone craftsmanship.
Experience the History and Serenity of Raikyuji
Raikyuji Temple brings together centuries of religious history, valuable cultural properties, and the understated beauty of a traditional Japanese garden. Originally restored under the patronage of Ashikaga Takauji, the temple has been preserved through the efforts of successive generations.
Whether you are interested in Zen Buddhism, Japanese garden design, or the history of the Takahashi region, Raikyuji offers a peaceful place to appreciate Japan’s cultural heritage. Its carefully composed garden and historic atmosphere make it a rewarding stop when exploring the former castle town of Takahashi.