Hiraizumi – architecture, gardens, and archaeological ruins representing the Buddhist land (Pure Land)

The complex of four temples and shrines reflects the richness of Hiraizumi, including prominent Buddhist temples dating back to the 12th century and connections to the sacred mountain Kinkeisan.

It represents concepts related to planning and garden design that have influenced Buddhist temples and gardens in other Japanese cities.

The constituent assets are Chusonji, Motsuji, Kanjizai In ruins, Muryoko In ruins, Mt. Kinkei,

Mt. Kinkei

It is considered a symbolic mountain that set the standard for Hiraizumi’s urban development, and can be seen from anywhere in central Hiraizumi.

Nine sutra mounds were built by successive Fujiwara clans, indicating that the mountain was considered a mountain of faith.

It was built as a utopian scene by carefully arranging Buddhist temples in relation to the pond, the trees, and the peak of Mt. Kinkei.

Chusonji Temple・Keizo (storehouse of scriptures)

The Sutra Storehouse of Chusonji Temple is a hall (National Important Cultural Property) built to house the Chusonji Sutra (National Treasure).。

Chusonji Temple・Konjikido

Chusonji’s heavily gilded Buddhist hall is the only one left from the 12th century, reflecting the immense wealth of the ruling clan.

The building that houses the Konjikido

Konjikido

The temples and Pure Land gardens of Hiraizumi are unique examples of buildings created with the aim of spatially expressing the Buddhist land (Pure Land) in this world.

Motsuji Temple・Garden

The four gardens were created by the Oshu Fujiwara clan, descendants of the ruling clan in the northern region at the time, as symbolic expressions of the Buddhist land (Pure Land) in this world.

Kanjizaioin ruins

Two of the Pure Land gardens have been restored based on many details discovered during excavations, while the other two remain buried underground.

無量光院跡

The Muryoko-in ruins are the ruins of a temple built by Hidehira, the third generation of the Oshu Fujiwara clan.

The temple is centered around the Amida-do Hall, which was built in the style of the Uji Byodo-in Phoenix Hall, and the pond that surrounds it.

Motsuji Temple・Ennen mai

“Ennenmai” is designated as a national important intangible folk cultural property.

 It originated in the mid-Heian period and was actively practiced during the Kamakura and Muromachi periods. It was performed as entertainment at the banquet after the grand puja.

Hiraizumi’s Pure Land philosophy is still firmly inherited in the religious ceremonies and folk performing arts that are still held in Hiraizumi.

It was recognized as a cultural heritage site in 2011.

  1. The temples and Pure Land gardens of Hiraizumi are unique examples that were created with the purpose of spatially expressing the Buddhist land (Pure Land) in this world.
  2. The Pure Land philosophy of Hiraizumi is still being passed down through the religious rituals and folk performing arts that are still held in Hiraizumi.
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