Founder Eisai wrote the 'Kissa Yojoki', the first book in Japan dedicated to the health benefits of drinking green tea.
The 'Wind and Thunder Gods' screens are so valuable that the temple displays high-quality reproductions in the main halls, while originals are kept in a museum.
The 'Twin Dragons' painting by Koizumi Junsaku measures 11.4 meters by 15.7 meters and was painted on 108 shoji panels.
The temple grounds contain a stone monument dedicated to the birthplace of Japanese tea culture.
The Circle-Triangle-Square garden represents the fundamental shapes of the universe in Zen philosophy.
Kenninji is the oldest Zen temple in Kyoto, founded in 1202 by the monk Eisai, who is credited with introducing Zen Buddhism and tea cultivation to Japan. The temple complex is renowned for its ceiling painting of the 'Twin Dragons' in the Hatto hall, a massive ink work created in 2002 to commemorate the temple's 800th anniversary. It houses a collection of historic folding screens, including the famous 'Wind and Thunder Gods' national treasure. The temple's layout features multiple sub-temples and distinct dry landscape gardens, such as the Circle-Triangle-Square garden. Unlike many other Kyoto temples, Kenninji maintains a relatively open layout within the Gion district. Visitors can view the iconic 'Twin Dragons' alongside preserved sliding door paintings. It functions as the head temple of the Kennin-ji school of the Rinzai Zen sect.
The Hatto hall, specifically looking up at the center of the ceiling to capture the full scope of the Twin Dragons.
Look closely at the sliding doors for the 'Wind and Thunder Gods' reproductions, as they are masterfully crafted.
Allocate time to sit on the tatami mats in the Hojo hall to observe the dry landscape gardens in silence.
Remove your shoes before stepping onto the wooden floorboards, as is customary in temple interiors.
Do not mistake the modern tea house replicas for historic structures; ensure you have socks, as walking barefoot on the cold temple floors is discouraged.
Remove shoes when entering temple buildings; maintain a low speaking volume; do not touch the sliding door paintings or painted screens.
