Omi kohoan Zen Temple

OVERVIEW

A Zen Oasis in Nature’s Serenity and Tranquility

Hidden away in the serene countryside of Nagahama, Omi Kohoan Temple, a Rinzai school Zen temple, invites visitors to embrace moments of tranquility within its traditional Zen garden, seamlessly blending with the peaceful natural landscape. Established during the early Edo period, Omi Kohoan Temple was founded in honor of Kobori Enshu (1579-1647), a native of Nagahama renowned for his mastery in the art of the tea ceremony. Enshu, esteemed alongside influential figures like Sen no Rikyu and Furuta Oribe, was skilled at integrating noble culture with the philosophy of tea. His expertise extended to garden landscaping, where he oversaw projects at prestigious locations such as Nanzen-ji Temple, Nijo Castle, and Nagoya Castle. Notably, his notable works include the gardens at Kodai-ji Temple and Kennin-ji Temple in Kyoto. The temple features two exquisite gardens. To the southwest of the main hall lies a serene dry landscape garden adorned with moss and arranged stones. Additionally, a pond and stream garden northeast of the main hall is perfect for a meditative stroll.

The temple hall hosts exquisite fusuma paintings by Gekka Minagawa (1892-1987), a Kyoto-based artist skilled in dyeing techniques and Japanese painting. Minagawa’s unique approach involved blending traditional yuzen dyeing with pictorial techniques from Japanese painting, thereby pioneering a distinctive path within Japanese dyeing craftsmanship. During spring, the temple grounds bloom with vibrant azaleas, while the autumn landscape is accented with charming bush clovers. Please note that the temple will be closed to visitors on November 16-17 for a memorial service commemorating its founding.