Yogenin Temple

Yogen-in is a temple in Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto City, belonging to the Goei-in branch of Jodo Shinshu, located opposite Sanjusangendo. It was founded in 1594 (Bunroku 3) by Yodo-dono to honor the memory of her father, Azai Nagamasa. After a fire, it was rebuilt by her sister, who was the wife of Tokugawa Hidetada, and it became a Tokugawa family mortuary temple. A notable feature is the ‘blood ceiling’: floorboards from Fushimi Castle—stained with the blood of Tokugawa loyalists who died there—were repurposed as ceiling planks, leaving vivid impressions. Another must-see is the cedar-door paintings by Tawaraya Sotatsu, depicting dynamic animals such as Chinese lions and a white elephant from Buddhist lore in bold, inventive compositions. Sotatsu’s fusuma paintings and Kano Sanraku’s peony-room fusuma are also outstanding. From Keihan Shichijo Station it is about a 10-minute walk with the Kamo River behind you. The area concentrates major sights including Sanjusangendo, the Kyoto National Museum, Chishaku-in, and Toyokuni Shrine.