Rokkakudo Temple

The Rokkakudo Temple, birthplace of ikebana, is formally known as Shiunzan Chohoji Temple. Shotoku Taishi (Prince Regent Shotoku) first visited the site of the present temple, then an uninhabited area, searching for timber for construction of Shitennoji Temple in Osaka. It is said that Buddha spoke to the Prince in a dream; the Prince then built a six-sided temple (“rokkaku” means hexagonal in Japanese), enshrining the amulet of “Nyoirin Kannon (the goddess of mercy)” he was carrying.

It is said Shotoku Taishi had bathed in a pond on the north side of the Rokkakudo Temple. The Buddhist priests who made floral offerings morning and evening at the Buddhist alter of the temple lived near this pond (the Japanese word for pond is “ike”), in a small hut (called “bo”). For this reason people began to call the priests by the name “Ikenobo.” Ono-no-Imoko, who served Shotoku Taishi, is said to have become a Buddhist priest and lived here.

In the Muromachi period (15th-16th centuries) Ikenobo managed the temple, and Senkei Ikenobo and Senno Ikenobo played active roles in the development of ikebana, establishing the position of the Headmaster of “kado” or ikebana. Successive generations of Ikenobo headmasters have served as head priests of this temple.

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  Shotoku Taishi Eden
  - Muromachi period
  Illustrated biography of Shotoku Taishi. The founding of the Rokkakudo Temple is depicted in the second of six scrolls.
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  The Rokkakudo Temple is a 3 minute-walk from exit #5 of Karasuma Oike station on the Kyoto City Subway. The temple attracts many tourists and visitors.
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  In the temple grounds there are several monuments to the birthplace of ikebana.
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  A six-sided stone, located south of the main temple, is said to be the center of Kyoto City and is known as the “navel stone.”
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  The Ikenobo Ikebana Spring Exhibition is held annually in April at the Ikenobo Headquarters next to the Rokkakudo Temple. In 2013 large ikebana arrangements were beautifully illuminated outdoors in the temple grounds during the evenings of the exhibition period. Rokkakudo temple website(Japanese texts only)