| Kōdai-ji | |
| Native Name: | 高台寺 |
| Native Name Lang: | ja |
| Map Type: | Japan |
| Coordinates: | 35.0008°N 135.7811°W |
| Religious Affiliation: | Zen Buddhism |
| Location: | Kyoto, Japan |
| Sect: | Rinzai |
| Festivals: | --> |
| District: | Higashiyama-ku |
| Prefecture: | Kyoto Prefecture |
| Region: | Kyoto |
| Country: | Japan |
| Organizational Status: | --> |
| Founded By: | Kōdai-in |
| Funded By: | Tokugawa Ieyasu |
| Established: | 1606 |
| Year Completed: | 1606 |
| Date Destroyed: | --> |
| Elevation Ft: | --> |
, formally identified as, is a temple of the Rinzai school of Zen Buddhism in Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto, Japan—the largest subtemple of the Kennin-ji branch.
It was established in 1606 by the nun Kōdai-in (often known by the title Kita no Mandokoro), who was the widow of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, to pray for her late husband. The principal image is a statue of Shaka.
The gardens of Kōdai-ji are a nationally designated Historic Site and Place of Scenic Beauty.[1]
The temple possesses a number of objects designated as Important Cultural Assets. Among these are the Main Gate and the Spirit Hall, noted for its use of maki-e. Lacquerware has a tradition at this temple.[2] The temple is nicknamed the "maki-e temple". One of the maki-e patterns used on a natsume tea utensil is called Kōdai-ji bun natsume (高台寺文棗), featuring the imperial chrysanthemum seal and the paulownia seal of the regent.[3] [4] [5]
The treasury also holds paintings, including one of Hideyoshi, as well as textiles, and a bronze bell with an inscription dating it to 1606.
The android Mindar has given sermons on the Heart Sutra at Kōdai-ji since 2019.[6]