Sankoin is the only place in Japan where vegetarian cuisine for princesses is handed down from generation to generation Sankoin Preservation Society established to preserve the culture, Held an event to experience Gosho-style vegetarian cooking.

The Bioni Gosho has welcomed princesses of nobility and above as its residents. The unique vegetarian cuisine that has been handed down for 680 years since Tongenji Temple (which no longer exists) is now in danger of extinction. In order to pass on to the next generation the traditional events and Gosho-style vegetarian cuisine of Sankoin, which originated from the Bhikunin Gosho, the "Society to Protect Sankoin" has been established. To commemorate the inauguration, a hands-on experience of Sankoin's Gosho-ryu vegetarian cuisine will be held.

Takeno-gosho-style vegetarian cuisine

The chairperson is Kaharu Nishii (Iku Nishii as a French chef), a cousin of actress Keiko Kishi and a long-time instructor of French home cooking on NHK's Today's Cooking.

For more than 30 years, Nishii has been teaching Gosho-ryu vegetarian cuisine at Sankoin while nurturing many disciples.

The main characteristics of Sankoin's vegetarian cuisine

The food is prepared and served one dish at a time. (It is clearly different from the platter cuisine derived from Chinese monks and the gozen ryori (a meal) derived from Japanese monks.

The cooking method of this cuisine does not use any animal products, not even soup stock, and takes a long time to bring out the original flavor of the ingredients, which is called "light flavor.

Unlike most vegetarian cuisine, where everything on the plate is edible, the plate is also decorated with flowers and plants called "kaishiki" or decorative flowers.

The Zen concept is added to all the dishes served to the customers.

The culture we wish to preserve

The Sankoin classes at Terakoya Sankoin, which have been continued by opening the location to the public free of charge, are in line with the will of Narae Nishino, who was passionate about women's education and wanted a place where women could experience Japanese culture.

The elegant play culture derived from the Bhikunin Gosho, introduced by the first abbot of Sokuei Yoneda, who moved from the nun-monzeki temple Gumika-in, and the annual events to worship Buddha, God, and the Imperial Family in equal measure.

First, as a means of managing a nunnery with no parishioners, the abbot Hoshino Koei introduced to the world Gosho-style vegetarian cuisine, which until then had not been offered to the general public. We want to protect this cuisine, which is the only one of its kind in Japan, anyway!

If you agree with us, please register and join the association to protect it. No membership fee or public announcement of your name is required.

Sankoin Preservation Society Home Page

https://sites.google.com/view/sankouin-mamorukai/home

Sankoin Official Website

https://sankouin.com/

https://sankouin.tokyo/

Exterior view of Jugatsudo

Sankoin temple gate

■Holding a Gosho-ryu vegetarian cooking experience

To commemorate the inauguration of the Protection Society, a hands-on experience of Gosho-ryu vegetarian cooking at Sankoin will be held for members of the press and academics.

After the cooking experience, a question-and-answer session with Dr. Kaharu Nishii will also be held. We hope you will join us. If you are unable to attend on the day of the event, we will be happy to arrange another date. Please consider joining us.

Details on how to participate are provided in the attached invitation. (Deadline for registration: January 15, 2026)