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There is a legend that there is an underground passageway running east from Nijo Castle to the head temple of the Jodo Sect of Buddhism in Kyoto, Chionin Temple, located on Higashioji (Higashiyama) St. just between Sanjo and Shijo streets. At this temple, there is a long-standing legend that the temple functioned as a branch castle for Nijo Castle.
It is said that Tokugawa Ieyasu, the Daimyo (feudal lord) living in the eastern part of Japan, put a lot of effort into keeping the Imperial Court under observation. However, he was always ready to fall back and use Chionin Temple as a backup castle in an emergency.
Certainly, Chionin Temple did fall under the protection of the Tokugawa family for several generations, and you can find Tokugawa family residences at several temple locations. In addition, each of the succeeding Tokugawa shoguns built large temple pagodas here, which now remain part of the large temple complex. Built in the early part of the Edo Period, the Sanmon Gate is the largest gate in Japan, and just past the gate there is the stonework of the Otokozaka stairs (literally the "man's uphill path" - the steeper of the two uphill paths leading to a shrine or temple). The corridor running from the main Mikagedo Hall and passing by the Daihojo Hall to the Shohojo Hall is an Uguisu-bari construction ––– It is certainly not going too far to say that rather than a temple, Chionin Temple is more like a castle with its imposing structure and provisions against foreign enemies.
Tradition has it that there is a hidden underground passage that runs from under the Uryuseki stone in front of the temple all the way to Nijo Castle. Wouldn't you like to visit this old temple, replete with traditions dating back to ancient times? |
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| Uryuseki stone |
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| The Uryuseki stone on Kachou Street |
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