Jotenji Temple: A Zen Oasis in Hakata

Jotenji Temple, officially named Banshosan Jotenji, is a Rinzai Zen Buddhist temple established in 1242 by the priest Enni-Ben'en with the support of the Chinese merchant, Xie Guo Ming. The temple is located in Hakata, Fukuoka, and provides a tranquil contrast to the surrounding urban environment.Enni-Ben'en brought back various aspects of Chinese culture, including methods for making udon, soba, yokan (adzuki-bean jelly), and manju (steamed buns). Stone monuments within the temple grounds commemorate these culinary contributions. Jotenji is also considered the birthplace of the Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival, one of Fukuoka's most famous events.The temple features a traditional Zen garden, Sentoutei, though it is not always open to the public. The meticulously raked sand represents the Genkai-nada Sea, with stones symbolizing Iki and Tsushima Islands. The garden is sometimes illuminated in November. The Hakata Sennen Gate, a replica of Hakata's original gate, stands at the entrance to Jotenji-dori Avenue, symbolizing hope for the city's prosperity.Important cultural properties housed within Jotenji include a wooden statue of Shakyamuni Buddha, painted silk scrolls of Zen Patriarchs, and a bronze bell originating from Korea.