Kanchi-in
Kanchi-in is a branch temple of Tōji and has been a place of religious scholarship since the fourteenth century. The temple was originally built by Gōhō (1306-1362), a Shingon Buddhist monk and scholar. The current building was built in 1605 after Gōhō’s temple was destroyed in an earthquake. It is famous for its large collection of Buddhist writings and for two paintings by the renowned swordsman and artist Miyamoto Musashi (1584–1645).
The two paintings by Musashi depict a bamboo grove and eagles preparing to strike their prey. The swordsman, one of the most popular figures in Japanese historical drama and literature, is said to have stayed at Kanchi-in after winning a duel.
Kanchi-in’s storehouse contains the largest collection of esoteric Buddhist texts in Japan. The temple’s guest hall (kyakuden) is designated as a National Treasure.