Kitchen and Bath of Eiheiji Temple

Eiheiji Guide 09: See & touch the giant wooden pestle!

Takako Sakamoto Jul 30, 2014 - 1 min read

<p>Green pine tree, bronze lantern and 'Daikuin (Kitchen)'</p>

<p>Outside view of 'Daikuin', the kitchen of Eiheiji Temple. It is considered to be one of the seven important buildings of the temple</p>

<p>Looking at 'Daikuin (Kitchen)' through green leaves</p>

<p>Beautiful bronze ornaments on the roof of 'Daikuin (Kitchen)'</p>

<p>Sign in a corridor indicating the direction to Daikuin (Kitchen)</p>

<p>View of 'Daikuin (Kitchen)' with 'Buddha Hall' in the foreground</p>

<p>'Daikuin (Kitchen)' viewed over the beautiful courtyard</p>

<p>Faded wooden signage of 'Daikuin (Kitchen)'...this building was rebuilt in 1930. This entrance is for the assembly hall, 'Zuiunkaku'</p>

<p>Front view of 'Daikuin (Kitchen)'</p>

<p>Wooden sign explaining 'Daikuin (Kitchen)'. This building has four floors and a basement in which all meals for Buddhas, priests and guests are prepared</p>

<p>Beautiful wooden signage...it looks important, but I can't read it!</p>

<p>There is the statue of 'Idasonten (Skanda) inside the alter; He was well-known as a fast runner?!</p>

<p>Famous giant wooden pestle of Eiheiji Temple hanging from the ceiling of 'Daikuin (Kitchen)'. According to a trainee monk, if a woman touches it, she will become a better cook, if a man touches it, he will become a better flatterer...believing it or not is all up to you!</p>

<p>Front view of 'Yokushitsu (Bath)', one of the seven important buildings of Eiheiji Temple</p>

This photo story is to guide you step-by-step as you explore Eiheiji Temple in Fukui, the Zen temple of 'Eternal Peace'. The ninth guide focuses on 'Daikuin (Kitchen)' and 'Yokushitsu (Bath)', both of which are one of the seven important buildings of this temple. Inside 'Daikuin', there is a giant wooden pestle hanging from the ceiling. This was originally a tamping rod used at the reconstruction of 'Buddha Hall' in 1902, and was recreated into a pestle. It is now one of the major attractions of Eiheiji Temple. Rumor says that it has some magical effect! (please read the photo caption if you are interested).

For other photos, please see these other photo stories, a detailed history, this article, and the other entries to this guide, the links below.

Complete Guide to Eiheiji Temple Series

More info

Find out more about Eiheiji Temple.

Eiheiji Temple Guide

Takako Sakamoto @takako.sakamoto

I was born in and grew up in Tokushima prefecture, and have lived in many places since then: Nishinomiya, Kyoto, Nara, Mie, Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama, Chiba, Fukuoka and Fukui. I am currently living in Yokohama City. All the places I lived, all the places I visited, I have loved dearly. The histor...