Tenryu-ji Temple

Tenryu-ji is the head temple of the Tenryu-ji branch of the Rinzai sect of Zen Buddhism, and was built by Ashikaga Takauji in dedication to Emperor Go-Daigo. Its first chief monk was Muso Soseki. Takauji and Emperor Go-Daigo fought together against the Kamakura shogunate, but their alliance later turned sour. The two created the Northern Court and Southern Court and fought each other. The revenue from trade with the Yuan dynasty was used to cover the enormous building costs, which led to the nickname “Tenryu-ji ships” for ships that did trade with Yuan. Sogenchi Garden on the west side of the Daihojo building is said to have been created by Muso Soseki himself, and retains its original features. The temple is also home to the famous painting by Matazo Kayama in which a dragon seems to be staring at viewers from all directions.