Mausoleum of Bifukumon-in
The Mausoleum of Bifukumon-in is located within the precincts of Fudo-in
Temple in Renge-dani, Mount Koya, Wakayama Prefecture.
It is managed by
the Imperial Household Agency as the Koyasan Mausoleum of Empress Tokushi
(consort of Emperor Toba).
Bifukumon-in
(1117–1160) was the Empress of the Retired Emperor Toba.
She was the
daughter of Fujiwara no Nagazane, and her given name was Tokushi.
Emperor Toba’s
relationship with his Empress, Taikenmon-in, was strained, leading him to
designate Kaya-in as Empress.
However, as no son
was born as hoped, Fujiwara no Tokushi entered the inner palace, and she
subsequently gave birth to a prince (the future Emperor Konoe).
In 1141, she became Empress at the time of Emperor Konoe's enthronement
ceremony, and in 1149, she was granted the title Bifukumon-in.
In 1156, upon the deathbed of the Retired Emperor Toba, she took the tonsure
at Anrakuju-in Temple and adopted the religious name Shinshoku.
She passed away in 1160 at the age of 44 and was cremated at Toba Higashi-dono
in Kyoto.
The "Sankaiki" records that "Bifukumon-in's remains are
to be taken to Mount Koya in accordance with her will," and she was
indeed interred at Mount Koya following her final instructions.
To reach the site,
take a bus from Koyasan Station on the Nankai Koya Line to the Renge-dani bus stop
(No.8 bus stop), then walk for 10 minutes.
