One of the outstanding autumn foliage I saw this year was that of Enrian in Sagano district. The color of the leaves was literally the reddest in Kyoto.
Fujiwara no Teika, a famous poet in Heian era, is said to have built the Ogura villa in this area and compiled the OGURA HYAKUNIN ISSHU (Anthology of One Hundred Tanka by One Hundred Poets) in one site of the villa where Enrian Temple now stands. The temple was deserted until it was restored by the descendant of Teika, and later entitled its name of "Enrian" by the emperor at the time after the restoration. The temple became a branch of Tenryu-ji Temple school of the Rinzai sect. A small tea ceremony house called "Shigure-tei" and the grave of Teika in the premises are really worth to see.
The temple is opened to the public only for limited period in autumn. Visiting this temple in YUMEYAKATA KIONO to see the garden covered with leaves in flaming red, can be ultimately luxurious.
貴船 茜