den koudera

Denko-ji is a temple of the Ritsu sect located in Nara City, Nara Prefecture. Its principal image is Shakyamuni Buddha (Shaka Nyorai), and the temple has no mountain name (sango). The temple is particularly renowned for its "chiri-tsubaki" (scattering camellia), a rare variety whose petals fall one by one rather than in clusters. Together with the "nori-koboshi" camellia at Todai-ji and the "goshiki-tsubaki" at Byakugo-ji, it is counted among the three famous camellias of Nara. According to temple tradition, it was founded during the Tenpyo Shoho era (749-757) by the vow of Empress Komyo. After various historical changes, it came to belong to the Ritsu sect and continues today to offer a serene sanctuary in the ancient capital of Nara.