知ってた？ ③
Did you know? #3
知恩院の「七不思議」
The "Seven Wonders" of Chion-in
知恩院には古くから伝わる「七不思議」がある。①鶯張りの廊下 — 歩くとキュッキュッと鳴る床。侵入者を知らせる防犯装置とも言われるが、実は経年変化で鳴るようになったとも。②忘れ傘 — 御影堂の軒に挟まれた傘。名工・左甚五郎が魔除けに置いたとされる。③抜け雀 — 襖に描かれた雀が生きているように飛び去ったという伝説。④三方正面真向の猫 — どの方向から見ても目が合う猫の絵。⑤大杓子 — 長さ2.5mの巨大しゃもじ。⑥瓜生石 — 一夜にして瓜が生えたという石。⑦白木の棺 — 三門建築の棟梁夫妻を祀る棺。
Chion-in has seven famous mysteries passed down through the ages. (1) Nightingale floors — corridors that chirp when walked on, said to be a security device (though it may just be aging wood). (2) The Forgotten Umbrella — tucked under the eaves of Mieidō, supposedly placed by master craftsman Hidari Jingorō as a charm. (3) The Sparrows That Flew Away — painted sparrows said to have come alive and flown off. (4) The Cat Facing Three Ways — a painting of a cat whose eyes follow you everywhere. (5) The Giant Rice Paddle — a 2.5m-long shamoji. (6) The Melon Stone — a stone where melons reportedly grew overnight. (7) The White Wood Coffin — enshrining the master builder and his wife who built the Sanmon.
「知恩院には七不思議があって、歩くと鳴る床とか、どこから見ても目が合う猫の絵とかあるんだよ」
"Chion-in has 'Seven Wonders' — like floors that chirp and a painting of a cat whose eyes follow you everywhere."
知ってた？ ④
Did you know? #4
除夜の鐘、僧侶17人がかりで撞く
17 monks needed to ring the New Year's bell
知恩院の梵鐘は高さ3.3メートル、直径2.8メートル、重さ約70トン。日本三大梵鐘（方広寺・東大寺と並ぶ）の一つ。大晦日の除夜の鐘では、1人の僧侶が親綱を持ち、残り16人が子綱を引いて撞く。その壮大な光景は年末のテレビ中継でおなじみ。鐘の音は京都の街に響き渡り、新年の到来を告げる。1636年の鋳造で、鐘楼ともども重要文化財。
Chion-in's temple bell stands 3.3 meters tall, 2.8 meters in diameter, and weighs about 70 tons — one of Japan's three largest bells (alongside Hōkō-ji and Tōdai-ji). On New Year's Eve, one monk holds the main rope while 16 others pull the sub-ropes to strike it. This spectacular scene is a TV broadcast staple in Japan. The bell's sound echoes across Kyoto, heralding the new year. Cast in 1636, both bell and belfry are Important Cultural Properties.
「ここの鐘、70トンもあって17人がかりで撞くんだよ。大晦日のテレビで有名」
"This bell weighs 70 tons — it takes 17 monks to ring it. You can see it on TV every New Year's Eve."
知ってた？ ⑤
Did you know? #5
法然は比叡山の天才少年だった
Hōnen was a child prodigy at Mt. Hiei
法然は1133年、美作国（現在の岡山県）に生まれた。9歳の時に父が夜襲で殺害される。父の遺言「敵を恨むな、出家せよ」に従い、13歳で比叡山に入山。15歳で正式な僧侶となり、あまりの秀才ぶりに「智慧第一の法然房」と称された。しかし比叡山で30年近く学んでも「これでは全ての人を救えない」と苦悩し、43歳の時に山を下りて「念仏だけで救われる」という浄土宗を開いた。
Hōnen was born in 1133 in Mimasaka (present-day Okayama). At age 9, his father was murdered in a night raid. Following his father's dying words — "Don't hate the enemy; become a monk" — he entered Mt. Hiei at 13. By 15, he was ordained, and his brilliance earned him the title "Hōnen of Supreme Wisdom." Yet after nearly 30 years of study, he agonized: "This can't save everyone." At 43, he left the mountain and founded Pure Land Buddhism — the teaching that chanting alone is enough for salvation.
「法然って9歳で父を殺されて出家して、比叡山で天才って言われたけど、43歳で下山したんだよ」
"Hōnen's father was murdered when he was 9. He became a genius monk, but left to create something for everyone."
知ってた？ ⑥
Did you know? #6
徳川家康はなぜ知恩院を巨大にしたのか
Why Tokugawa made Chion-in so enormous
徳川家は代々浄土宗の信徒だった。家康は知恩院を菩提所として手厚く保護し、秀忠・家光の時代に現在の壮大な伽藍が完成した。しかし信仰だけが理由ではない。知恩院は東山の高台にあり、京都を一望できる戦略的要地。万が一の有事に備え、城郭建築の技法が随所に使われている。三門は城門のような堅固さを持ち、御影堂の廊下の下には「武者隠し」と呼ばれる空間がある。
The Tokugawa family were devout Pure Land Buddhists for generations. Ieyasu designated Chion-in as the family temple and lavished funds on it. Under Hidetada and Iemitsu, the current grand complex was completed. But faith wasn't the only reason. Chion-in sits on the strategic heights of Higashiyama, overlooking all of Kyoto. Castle-building techniques were incorporated throughout — in case of emergency. The Sanmon is as sturdy as a castle gate, and beneath Mieidō's corridors lie hidden spaces called "mushagakushi" (warrior hideouts).
「知恩院がこんなにデカいのは、徳川が城の技術で造ったから。武者隠しもあるんだよ」
"Chion-in is so massive because the Tokugawa built it like a castle — with hidden warrior chambers inside."
知ってた？ ⑦
Did you know? #7
御影堂の大修理 — 瓦11万枚・費用110億円・9年間
Mieidō's great restoration — 110,000 tiles, $100M, 9 years
知恩院の中心・御影堂（みえいどう）は国宝で、法然上人の御影（肖像）を祀る。2012年から約9年かけて「平成・令和の大修理」が行われ、2020年に完成。屋根瓦約11万枚をすべて下ろして点検・交換し、総事業費は約110億円。畳3000畳の巨大な堂内で3000人が一度に参拝できる。修理には全国の浄土宗信徒からの浄財が充てられた。
Mieidō (Founder's Hall) is a National Treasure and the heart of Chion-in, enshrining Hōnen's portrait. From 2012 to 2020, a massive 9-year restoration took place. All 110,000 roof tiles were removed, inspected, and replaced at a total cost of about $100 million. The enormous hall, with 3,000 tatami mats, can accommodate 3,000 worshippers at once. The restoration was funded by donations from Pure Land Buddhists nationwide.
「御影堂の修理、瓦11万枚を全部外してチェックしたんだって。費用110億円」
"They removed and checked all 110,000 roof tiles — the whole restoration cost about $100 million."
知ってた？ ⑧
Did you know? #8
浄土宗 vs 浄土真宗の違い
Jōdo-shū vs. Jōdo Shinshū — what's the difference?
名前が似ている浄土宗と浄土真宗。浄土宗は法然が開き、浄土真宗は弟子の親鸞が発展させた。最大の違いは念仏の考え方。浄土宗は「たくさん唱えるほど良い」、浄土真宗は「一度の念仏で十分、大切なのは信じる心」。また浄土真宗は親鸞自らが結婚して肉食妻帯を公認し、僧侶も家庭を持てる。知恩院は浄土宗の総本山、西本願寺・東本願寺は浄土真宗の本山。
Jōdo-shū and Jōdo Shinshū sound similar but differ significantly. Jōdo-shū was founded by Hōnen; Jōdo Shinshū was developed by his disciple Shinran. The key difference: Jōdo-shū says "the more you chant, the better," while Shinshū says "one sincere chanting is enough — faith matters most." Shinran also married and publicly allowed monks to eat meat and have families. Chion-in is the head temple of Jōdo-shū; Nishi and Higashi Hongan-ji are Shinshū headquarters.
「浄土宗と浄土真宗、師匠と弟子の関係で、念仏の回数の考え方が違うんだよ」
"The two Pure Land schools were founded by master and student — they disagree on how many times you need to chant."
知ってた？ ⑨
Did you know? #9
法然の流罪 — 75歳で四国へ島流し
Hōnen's exile — banished to Shikoku at age 75
1207年、法然は75歳にして四国（土佐、のち讃岐）に流罪となった。原因は弟子の一部が後鳥羽上皇の女官と密通事件を起こしたこと。既存の仏教界からの圧力もあり、法然と親鸞ら弟子4人が流罪、2人が死罪となった（承元の法難）。4年後に赦免されて京都に戻ったが、わずか1年余りで80歳の生涯を閉じた。その終焉の地がまさに現在の知恩院。
In 1207, at the age of 75, Hōnen was exiled to Shikoku (Tosa, then Sanuki). The trigger: some of his disciples had scandals involving ladies of Emperor Go-Toba's court. Under pressure from the established Buddhist authorities, Hōnen and four disciples (including Shinran) were banished, and two others were executed (the Jōgen Persecution). Pardoned four years later, Hōnen returned to Kyoto but passed away just over a year later at age 80. The very place where he spent his final days is today's Chion-in.
「法然は75歳で島流しにされたんだよ。戻ってきて1年で亡くなった場所がここ」
"Hōnen was exiled at 75. He came back and died just a year later — right here at Chion-in."
深掘り ⑩
Deep Dive #10
ロケ地としての知恩院
Chion-in as a filming location
知恩院はその壮大さから、大河ドラマや映画のロケ地としても有名。三門から続く急な石段「男坂」は、時代劇の名シーンに何度も登場している。春には桜、秋には紅葉のライトアップが行われ、三門や友禅苑が幻想的な光に包まれる。特に秋のライトアップは京都有数の人気スポット。普段は入れない夜の境内を散策できる貴重な機会。
Chion-in's grandeur has made it a famous filming location for historical dramas and movies. The steep stone stairway "Otokozaka" (Men's Slope) leading from the Sanmon has appeared in countless period drama scenes. In spring, cherry blossoms are illuminated; in autumn, stunning maple leaf light-ups transform the Sanmon and Yūzen-en garden into a fantasy world. The autumn illumination is one of Kyoto's most popular events — a rare chance to explore the temple grounds at night.
「知恩院って大河ドラマのロケ地でもあるんだよ。秋のライトアップがすごいらしい」
"Chion-in is a famous filming location for samurai dramas. The autumn light-up here is absolutely stunning."
深掘り ⑪
Deep Dive #11
法然と親鸞 — 仏教史上最も美しい師弟関係
Hōnen and Shinran — Buddhism's most beautiful mentorship
親鸞は29歳で法然の弟子となった。比叡山で20年修行しても救いを見出せなかった親鸞は、法然の「念仏だけで救われる」という教えに心を打たれた。法然は親鸞に特別な信頼を置き、主著『選択本願念仏集』の書写を許した数少ない弟子の一人とした。二人は流罪で引き離されたが、親鸞は生涯「法然上人の弟子」を名乗り続け、師の教えをさらに深めて浄土真宗を開いた。日本仏教史上、最も美しい師弟の絆と言われる。
Shinran became Hōnen's disciple at age 29. After 20 years of training at Mt. Hiei without finding salvation, he was deeply moved by Hōnen's teaching that "chanting alone is enough." Hōnen trusted Shinran so much that he was one of the few allowed to copy his masterwork, the Senchaku Hongan Nenbutsu Shū. They were separated by exile, but Shinran called himself "a disciple of Hōnen" for his entire life, deepening his master's teaching into Jōdo Shinshū. Their bond is considered the most beautiful teacher-student relationship in the history of Japanese Buddhism.
「親鸞は生涯、法然の弟子だって名乗り続けたんだよ。師弟の絆がすごい」
"Shinran called himself Hōnen's disciple his whole life — it's considered the most beautiful mentorship in Japanese Buddhism."
- - -
見どころガイド
MUST-SEE GUIDE
必見 1 — 国宝
MUST-SEE #1 — National Treasure
三門（国宝）
Sanmon Gate (National Treasure)
1621年、徳川秀忠が建立。高さ24m・幅50mの日本最大級の二重門で、国宝に指定されている。二階には宝冠釈迦牟尼仏像と十六羅漢像が安置されており、特別公開時に拝観可能。門をくぐると急勾配の石段「男坂」が待ち構え、登りきると京都市街を一望できる。「三門」は空・無相・無願の三つの悟りの門を意味する。圧倒的スケールに、まずここで写真を撮りたくなる。
Built in 1621 by Tokugawa Hidetada. Standing 24m tall and 50m wide, this double-roofed gate is a National Treasure and one of Japan's largest. The upper floor houses statues of Shakyamuni Buddha and the Sixteen Arhats, viewable during special openings. Past the gate, the steep "Otokozaka" stone steps lead up to a panoramic view of Kyoto. "Sanmon" represents the three gates to enlightenment. Its overwhelming scale makes it the first photo spot for most visitors.
必見 2 — 国宝
MUST-SEE #2 — National Treasure
御影堂（国宝）
Mieidō — Founder's Hall (National Treasure)
知恩院の中心で、法然上人の御影（肖像）を祀る。間口45m・奥行き35mの巨大な堂で、畳3000畳。内部は金色に装飾され、荘厳な雰囲気。毎日の朝夕のお勤めでは僧侶たちの念仏の声が堂内に響き渡る。2020年に9年間の大修理を終え、美しく蘇った。建物の下に「武者隠し」の空間がある。参拝は無料。
The heart of Chion-in, enshrining Hōnen's portrait. A massive 45m x 35m hall with 3,000 tatami mats, its golden interior creates a solemn atmosphere. During daily morning and evening services, monks' chanting fills the entire space. Beautifully restored after a 9-year renovation completed in 2020. Hidden "warrior chambers" exist beneath the building. Free to visit.
必見 3
MUST-SEE #3
大鐘楼
Great Bell Tower (Daishōrō)
1636年鋳造の梵鐘は高さ3.3m、重さ約70トン。日本三大梵鐘の一つで、鐘楼ともども重要文化財。大晦日の除夜の鐘が全国的に有名で、テレビ中継もされる。親綱1人・子綱16人の計17人で撞く独特のスタイル。鐘楼へは御影堂の裏手から石段を登る。鐘の音の深さは一聴の価値あり。
The bell, cast in 1636, is 3.3m tall and weighs about 70 tons — one of Japan's three largest. Both bell and belfry are Important Cultural Properties. The New Year's Eve bell-ringing is nationally famous and televised, with 17 monks working together in a unique formation. Climb the stone steps behind Mieidō to reach the belfry. The deep resonance of the bell is truly worth hearing.
必見 4
MUST-SEE #4
友禅苑・方丈庭園
Yūzen-en & Hōjō Garden
友禅苑は友禅染の祖・宮崎友禅斎を記念して造られた庭園。枯山水と池泉の二つの庭を持ち、四季折々の風情がある。方丈庭園は小堀遠州の作と伝わる枯山水庭園で、白砂と刈り込みの美しい構成。春の桜、秋の紅葉の季節は特に見事。ライトアップ期間中は幻想的な夜の庭園散策が楽しめる。
Yūzen-en was created in honor of Miyazaki Yūzensai, founder of yūzen dyeing. It features both a dry landscape and a pond garden with seasonal beauty. The Hōjō Garden, attributed to Kobori Enshū, is an elegant dry landscape of white sand and sculpted hedges. Especially stunning during cherry blossom and autumn foliage seasons. During illumination periods, the gardens offer magical nighttime strolls.
- - -
会話で使えるボーナスネタ
BONUS CONVERSATION STARTERS
ボーナス ①
Bonus #1
「知恩」の意味 — 恩を知る寺
"Chion" — the temple of knowing gratitude
「知恩院」の名前は「恩を知る」という意味。法然が「阿弥陀仏の恩を知り、その恩に報いるために念仏を唱える」と説いた教えに基づく。単に救いを求めるだけでなく、感謝の気持ちを忘れないという法然の精神が寺名に込められている。正式名称は「華頂山知恩教院大谷寺」。
"Chion-in" means "Temple of Knowing Gratitude." Based on Hōnen's teaching that "we chant to acknowledge Amida Buddha's grace and repay it." It's not just about seeking salvation — it's about never forgetting gratitude. Hōnen's spirit lives in the name itself. The full formal name is "Kacho-zan Chion Kyō-in Ōtani-dera."
「『知恩院』って、恩を知るっていう意味なんだよ。感謝の心を大切にする寺」
"'Chion-in' literally means 'Temple of Knowing Gratitude' — it's about being thankful, not just asking for salvation."
ボーナス ②
Bonus #2
法然と源頼朝・九条兼実 — 権力者たちの帰依
Hōnen and the powerful — Minamoto no Yoritomo, Kujō Kanezane
法然の教えは庶民だけでなく、時の権力者にも広まった。鎌倉幕府を開いた源頼朝の妻・北条政子は法然に帰依し、摂政の九条兼実も熱心な信徒となった。兼実は法然に著作を依頼し、それが浄土宗の根本聖典『選択本願念仏集』となった。貴族から武士、庶民まで、身分を超えて人々を惹きつけた法然の人柄が窺える。
Hōnen's teaching reached not just commoners but the most powerful people of his era. Hōjō Masako (wife of shogun Minamoto no Yoritomo) became a devotee, and the regent Kujō Kanezane was a fervent follower who commissioned Hōnen to write what became the foundational text of Pure Land Buddhism (Senchaku Hongan Nenbutsu Shū). From aristocrats to warriors to common people — Hōnen attracted followers across all social classes.
「法然って、源頼朝の奥さんまで弟子にしてたんだよ。庶民から権力者まで惹きつけた人」
"Even the wife of Japan's first shogun became Hōnen's follower — he attracted people from every social class."
ボーナス ③
Bonus #3
華頂山からの絶景 — 東山の隠れた展望スポット
The hidden viewpoint — panoramic Kyoto from Kacho-zan
知恩院の背後に広がる華頂山は、知る人ぞ知る京都の展望スポット。境内の奥から墓地を通り抜けると、京都市街と比叡山を一望できる高台に出る。観光客が少なく静かで、地元の人だけが知る穴場。特に夕暮れ時の眺めが絶品。春は桜、秋は紅葉と合わせて楽しめる。知恩院参拝の後に少し足を伸ばす価値がある。
Behind Chion-in lies Mt. Kacho, a little-known viewpoint. Walk past the cemetery in the back of the temple grounds and you'll reach a hilltop with panoramic views of Kyoto and Mt. Hiei. Quiet and tourist-free — a locals-only secret spot. The sunset view is especially stunning. Best combined with cherry blossoms in spring or autumn foliage. Definitely worth the short extra walk after visiting Chion-in.
「知恩院の裏山に登ると、京都が一望できる穴場があるんだよ。観光客ほとんどいない」
"There's a secret viewpoint behind Chion-in — almost no tourists, and you can see all of Kyoto."
- - -
基本情報
Quick Info
正式名称Name
浄土宗総本山 華頂山知恩教院大谷寺（知恩院）Chion-in (Kacho-zan Chion Kyō-in Ōtani-dera)
創建Founded
1175
宗派Sect
浄土宗 総本山Jōdo-shū (Pure Land Buddhism)
国宝Treasures
三門・御影堂Sanmon Gate, Mieidō Hall
最寄りAccess
地下鉄東西線 東山駅 徒歩8分 / 市バス「知恩院前」下車8 min walk from Higashiyama Sta. (Tozai Line)