DATE:		March 14-16, 2007 9:00-16:00 (closed at 15:30 on the 16th)
PLACE:		Tofuku-ji Temple 15-778 Honmachi, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto
DIRECTION:		JR Nara Line to Tofuku-ji Station
TEL:		81-75-561-0087
ADMISSION:		Free (for the main hall) To view the Sammon gate Buddha ceiling painting, a national treasure: Adults - 500 yen, students (elementary / junior high) - 300 yen To visit the Ryugin-an’s Hojo room and garden: 600 yen
TEXT:		Nehan-e is a major ceremony held on 15th of the second month of the Chinese lunar calendar. The day is recognized as the day Buddha died. During this period, a large painting of Nirvana is put on public display in the temple’s main hall, or hondo.  Other special exhibitions include the ceiling painting of Buddha, a national treasure, at Sammon gate, the  Ryugin-an’s Hojo room and garden. The painting of nirvana measures 15 meters by 7.5 meters and makes an impression on everyone who sees it.  Nehan-e is a style of painting that depicts the Buddha’s death.  The one at Tofuku-ji temple is the work of Mincho Kitsusan, a Muromachi period (1338-1573) artist.  The picture depicts a scene of grief, where Buddha lies under paired sal trees surrounded by his disciples, Bodhisattva, angels and animals. This large nehan-e in Tofuku-ji temple is distinctive because of the presence of a cat in the picture.  Other events at the temple include a floral art exhibition, a shakuhachi (Japanese recorder) performance as an offeringto the gods, and amazake (sweet rice sake) served to visitors.