Prince Shōtoku, the son of Emperor Yōmei (the 31st Emperor) was a personality who played a very important role in the introduction of Buddhism to Japan. Some of his descendants became Buddhist priests, and the temples served by priests from the Imperial family are known as Monzeki temples.

One of the most important Monzeki temples is Shoren-in in Kyoto belonging to the Tendai Buddhist sect, whose head priest was Prince Kakukai, son of Emperor Toba.

Shoren-in, Higashiyama, Kyoto

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