Kaikoji Temple Founded by Saint Donsho Ninritsu!

Saint Donsho Ninritsu constructed Kaikoji Temple, which is one of the subtemples of Sennyuji Temple, on the West side of Kyoto Station in 1228 after he came back to Japan from China (called Song in those days). After that, the temple was relocated a number of times. It has been in the present place since 1645.
Shaka Nyorai (Sakyamuni) as the principal image and an important cultural property of Japan was made in the collaboration of Unkei and his child Tankei. This principal image of yosegi-zukuri (joined woodblock) construction is colorful and tinged in Song’s style. It is a unique woodcarving image of Great Buddha and a masterpiece of the Kamakura period (1192-1333). It is called Migawari Shaka (an image of Gautama Buddha that cures the diseases of people’s faces and heads and sacrifices itself for people’s misfortunes. The body of the statue is 5.4 meters tall, and the total height including the plinth and mandoria is approximately 10 meters. In the past, a large statue of Buddha was called Joroku in Japanese. That is why this statue is commonly called Joroku-san. It prospered also as the Imperial Household’s prayer place.
Kaikoji Temple has one of Kyoto’s eight greatest Buddha images. LIke the Buddha images in the Saga Shakado Hall of Saga Seiryoji Temple and the Sembon Shakado Hall in the Daihoonji Temple, this statue is an object of deep faith. Moreover, it is said that the priest Saicho made the image of Benzaiten (the goddess of eloquence, music, and wisdom) here, which is known as one of the images of Seven Divinities of Good Luck (called Shichifukujin in Japanese) in Senzan. People believe that Benzaiten makes their all wishes come true.

Via Flickr:
Saint Donsho Ninritsu constructed Kaikoji Temple, which is one of the subtemples of Sennyuji Temple, on the West side of Kyoto Station in 1228 after he came back to Japan from China (called Song in those days). After that, the temple was relocated a number of times. It has been in the present place since 1645.
Shaka Nyorai (Sakyamuni) as the principal image and an important cultural property of Japan was made in the collaboration of Unkei and his child Tankei. This principal image of yosegi-zukuri (joined woodblock) construction is colorful and tinged in Song’s style. It is a unique woodcarving image of Great Buddha and a masterpiece of the Kamakura period (1192-1333). It is called Migawari Shaka (an image of Gautama Buddha that cures the diseases of people’s faces and heads and sacrifices itself for people’s misfortunes. The body of the statue is 5.4 meters tall, and the total height including the plinth and mandoria is approximately 10 meters. In the past, a large statue of Buddha was called Joroku in Japanese. That is why this statue is commonly called Joroku-san. It prospered also as the Imperial Household’s prayer place.
Kaikoji Temple has one of Kyoto’s eight greatest Buddha images. LIke the Buddha images in the Saga Shakado Hall of Saga Seiryoji Temple and the Sembon Shakado Hall in the Daihoonji Temple, this statue is an object of deep faith. Moreover, it is said that the priest Saicho made the image of Benzaiten (the goddess of eloquence, music, and wisdom) here, which is known as one of the images of Seven Divinities of Good Luck (called Shichifukujin in Japanese) in Senzan. People believe that Benzaiten makes their all wishes come true.