Nyonindō 女人堂にょにんどう

Women's Hall

Nyonindō is a reminder of the times in the past when women were prohibited from entering the sacred precincts of Mt. Kōya, where their presence was thought to have distracted the priests from their prayers and meditations. Kūkai, the founder of the monastic complex here, famously forbade even his own mother from visiting. Other women who tried to enter or communicate with male relatives living on the mountain were rebuffed with the harsh reminder that their loved ones were "dead to them." In 1873, the Japanese government officially prohibited temples from banning women. However, here at Mt. Kōya, the practice continued until 1916.

The prohibition (known as "nyonin-kinzei") did not stop women of faith from trying to get as close as possible to the resting place of Kōbō-daishi and the temple complex he had established. Despite the difficulties of the journey, many women made their way to the one of the seven entrances to Mt. Kōya in the hope of getting a glimpse of the rooftops of the holy shrines within. Overnight lodging for these women was provided by seven "nyonindō," or "women's halls," located at each of the gates to the monastery. The small temple that stands here today dates from the year 1871 and is the only remaining women's hall.

KoyaQuest

KoyaQuest

KoyaQuest

Nyonindō

KoyaQuest

Nyonindō

Nyonindō 女人堂にょにんどう

Women's Hall