Practice at the temple
Zazen and Sutra Copying
Ikkeji is a Rinzai Zen temple with a history as a place of Zen practice in Kure. Its activities introduce visitors to the quiet, practical side of Japanese Buddhism.
Zazen
Zazen means seated Zen meditation. It is a time to adjust the body, settle the breath, and look quietly at the mind. At Ikkeji, the emphasis is not on perfect form, but on first sitting down and experiencing the atmosphere of the temple.
The temple has a historical connection with naval officers who practiced Zen in Kure. Today, people from many walks of life still come to sit, breathe, and return to daily life with a little more space in the heart.
Practice before performance
In a temple setting, practice is not mainly something to watch or consume. It is a small discipline: sitting still, copying one character carefully, receiving food with gratitude, and noticing how the mind moves.
For English readers, this page is meant to explain the feeling behind the customs. Current schedules and formal inquiries are handled on the Japanese site.
Shakyo: copying sutras
Shakyo is the practice of copying a Buddhist sutra by hand. It is often described as entering a state similar to meditation. The hand moves slowly, the eyes follow the characters, and the mind becomes focused on one line at a time.
At Ikkeji, sutra copying is usually done at a table with a chair, so it is accessible even for people who are not used to sitting on the floor.
Shojin ryori
Shojin ryori is Buddhist vegetarian cuisine. It is not simply "vegetarian food" in a modern sense. It is connected with gratitude, restraint, seasonality, and the careful use of ingredients.
When served after practice, shojin ryori becomes part of the experience: listening, writing, eating, and leaving the temple a little quieter than when one arrived.
For English readers
The Japanese site has the current schedule and reservation information. This English page is mainly a cultural introduction, so it does not include a contact form.