#phoenix hall

[merpmonde]

As the maths problems take a break, maybe we can have a brief pub quiz. So...

Q. What's that building on the 10-yen coin?

A. The Phoenix Hall at Byôdô-in, Uji.

Initially built as a villa by a member of the Minamoto clan just before the year 1000, the land was sold not long after to members of a rival clan, the Fujiwaras, who turned it into a Buddhist temple named Byôdô-in in 1052. The most striking feature of the temple is the Amida Hall, which with time gained the name Phoenix Hall due to its overall appearance: the two outer corridors are the wings, and a corridor extending behind is the tail.

At the same time, tea production was picking up in Uji, and by the 14th century, Uji tea had become well renowned. I need to go back there someday, my first visit was just an afternoon flick after completing the climb of Mt Inari in the morning. I thought of going back there in the summer of 2023, but couldn't quite make time for it.

[kyotodreamtrips]

Purple wisteria at Byōdō-in temple, Uji City, Kyoto-Japan.

[tanuki-kimono]

Night view of the Phoenix Hall of Byôdôin (Buddhist temple in Uji, Kyoto prefecture), by @xxakaxxv. This view is pretty famous as its the building depicted on the 10 yencoins ;)

[kyotodreamtrips]

Cherry Blossoms at Byōdō-in a world heritage site in Uji City, Kyoto-Japan.

[kyotodreamtrips]

Purple wisteria at Byōdō-in temple, Uji City, Kyoto-Japan.

[kyotodreamtrips]

Cherry Blossoms at Byōdō-in a world heritage site in Uji City, Kyoto-Japan.

[kyotodreamtrips]

Cherry Blossoms at Byōdō-in a world heritage site in Uji City, Kyoto-Japan.

[kyotodreamtrips]

Cherry Blossoms at Byōdō-in a world heritage site in Uji City, Kyoto-Japan.