Nanzen-ji Temple

Nanzen-ji Temple

Nanzenji Fukuchi-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto, 606-8435, Japan

Official Site

Nanzen-ji Temple was founded in 1291, over 710 years ago, when Emperor Kameyama invited the Zen master Mukan Fumon—later honoured as Daimin Kokushi—to establish the temple.
Emperor Kameyama, born in 1249 as the son of Retired Emperor Go-Saga, became Japan’s 90th emperor at the age of ten. Rising tensions across East Asia marked his reign, and after abdicating, he confronted the national crisis of the Mongol invasions. (Text excerpted)
Although the temple was built on the grounds of his former imperial villa, it originally had no religious buildings. The responsibility for constructing the temple complex was entrusted to the monk Gyokukan, who spent about 15 years completing it.
For this reason, Gyokukan is often regarded as the true founder of Nanzen-ji.
On September 15, 1305, shortly after the temple complex was almost completed, Emperor Kameyama passed away at the age of 57 at his residence in Saga.
His tomb now lies within the grounds of Tenryu-ji Temple, built on the former site of the palace. Introduction taken from the official website.