Zuishinin Temple

The head temple of the Zentsuji school of Shingon Buddhism, Zuishinin is said to be where Heian-period poet Ono no Komachi spent her later years. The current halls were rebuilt after the Keicho era, and the main hall, designed in the shinden-zukuri style, enshrines the principal image, a seated Nyoirin Kannon Bosatsu statue designated as an Important Cultural Property, a seated Kongosatta statue by Kaikei, and a seated Amida Nyorai statue said to be the work of Jocho.

The temple grounds preserve many historic sites linked to Ono no Komachi, including the “Kesho Ido” cosmetic well, said to have been used by her, and the “Komachi Fumizuka,” where 1,000 love letters addressed to her are said to have been buried. Also drawing attention on social media in recent years is the “Gokusaishiki Ume no Nioi Komachi Ezu” in the Noh Room of the Omote Shoin. This vividly colored fusuma painting, dedicated by the Kyoto artist unit Daruma Shoten, depicts the life of Ono no Komachi.

Also known as a famous spot for late-blooming plum blossoms, the Ono Plum Grove, planted with Approx. 200 plum trees, opens to the public in March. On the last Sunday of March, the Hanezu Odori, based on the love story of Ono no Komachi and Shosho Fukakusa, is performed by girls dressed in hanezu-colored costumes.