Hiraizumi, Iwate – the legacy of Golden Capital for 100 years (1/3)
Hiraizumi, counted as one of the world heritage, is a small city in Iwate pref. The city – virtually it looks small town – is renown as “the town of legacy”, because of its history – a sudden emerged local government (virtually shogunate)’s capital in the end of 11th Century, backed by horses(with importance as strategic vehicle), and gold mined in the area.
The Motsu-ji temple’s garden is designed to represent “Pure Land” existing in the heaven of Buddhism during its governance, which lasted only 100 years until invaded by Kamakura Shogunate (located in current Kanagawa Pref, about 500 km south) in 12th Century.
Hiraizumi Station.The gate of Moutsu-ji temple.The monument of renowned poet, “Matsuo Basho” in 17th Century. He left a poet to recall the legacy of this town after its demolition.The main hall is constructed in 1989, presenting of Heian era (794-1192).Typical “Yakushi Triad”. You see smaller two statues, one with moon light, and the other with sun light. Irises were donated from Meiji Jingu shurine (in Tokyo).The hall to enshrine “En-nin” who opened this temple.En-nin’s travel in Tang(current China) is said to be one of three great travelogues, along with Marco Polo’s and Xuanzang’s one. The statue of En-nin.The modeled stream in the garden.In Heian era (794-1192) aristcrats enjoyed to create poems each other along with stream. Still they have the inactment once a year. This area represents sand beach.Many construction bases are left, but no original building is left. The most of them were destroyed in warfare after the shogunate demolished.Serene. The garden is called “Pure Land Garden”, and you see coastal rock formation, representing coast with turbulant waves.
