 Most viewed - Morinji Temple 茂林寺 |
Morinji is a Soto-Zen temple famous for the Bunbuku Chagama (分福茶釜) folk tale about a tanuki raccoon dog that transformed into a steel pot used by the temple priest. Near Morinji-mae Station on the Tobu Line. One stop before Tatebayashi Station.423 views
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Disturbing news: On Dec. 19, 2022, two tanuki statues on a nearby bridge were destroyed by vandals. Then on Jan. 10, 2023, a roadside tanuki statue was knocked over and broken. All three were city property and not part of the temple. 328 views
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4. The large belly is for being calm as well as bold...287 views
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A few statues shows a tanuki morphed into a steel tea pot at Morinji temple, Tatebayashi, Gunma Prefecture. Based on the Bunbuku Chagama folktale.275 views
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On the way back out, passing by the 21 tanuki raccoon dog statues again.263 views
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A giant Tanuki raccoon dog statue at Morinji temple at Tatebayashi, Gunma Prefecture. Donated by Tobu Railway in 1960.228 views
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Tanuki raccoon dog statue at Morinji temple at Tatebayashi, Gunma Prefecture.197 views
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Tanuki raccoon dog statue at Morinji temple at Tatebayashi, Gunma Prefecture.196 views
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Room exhibiting the legendary chagama tea pot in Morinj temple, Tatebayashi, Gunma.192 views
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Room exhibiting the legendary chagama tea pot in Morinj temple, Tatebayashi, Gunma.191 views
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188 views
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Another tanuki morphed into a steel tea pot at Morinji temple, Tatebayashi, Gunma Prefecture. Based on the Bunbuku Chagama folktale.183 views
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177 views
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137 views
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6. An unpaid bill in the left hand symbolizes trust...136 views
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7. Large gonads between the legs which is the money bag for prosperity...134 views
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The way to Morinji temple is lined with some tourist souvenir shops.128 views
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126 views
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A stone marker for Morinji temple, designating it as one of Tatebayashi's 100 Famous Sites.125 views
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Morinji-mae Station. Morinji temple is a short walk away (660 meters).123 views
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5. A sake flask in the left hand for innate virtue...120 views
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Even at the Morinji temple parking lot, tanuki statues.119 views
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119 views
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3. The large eyes is for seeing the situation and making correct and considerate decisions...116 views
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A symbol of Tatebayashi, Tanuki raccoon dogs welcome you in front of Morinji-mae Station. A hint of what's in store. A story panel starts to explain the tanuki story. Other story panels are found on the way to the temple.113 views
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Tanuki statues on the right side of the Sando path to the Sanmon Gate.113 views
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111 views
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The legendary chagama tea pot in Morinj temple, Tatebayashi, Gunma.110 views
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110 views
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First you see this Somon Gate (総門), built in 1468 and normally called Kuromon Gate (黒門), to enter Morinji temple, one of Tatebayashi's main tourist sights.109 views
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About the the legendary chagama tea pot in Morinj temple, Tatebayashi, Gunma. There are other versions of the folktale.107 views
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Tanuki statues on the left side of the Sando path to the Sanmon Gate.106 views
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A room with more scrolls and paintings of chagama.106 views
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The first panel explaining the famous Bunbuku Chagama (分福茶釜) folktale about a tanuki raccoon dog which turned into a tea pot. Morinji temple is where the folktale originated. There are multiple versions of the story.105 views
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8. A thick tail for reliability and stability no matter what.105 views
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Painting of a tanuki chagama.105 views
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Map of Morinji temple. Morinji was founded by the priest Dairin Shotsu (大林正通), During a pilgrimage, Shotsu met an old priest Shukaku-osho at the foot of Ikaho in Gunma. 104 views
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Then there's a showroom of many tanuki sculptures, both wooden and stuffed.104 views
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Tanuki statues in the showcase looked very old.104 views
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Tanuki statues at Shukaku-do. This one was says "Welcome" in Kansai dialect, saying ""oideyasu."104 views
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Women's restroom at the Morinji parking lot has a tanuki design.103 views
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Shigaraki tanuki is said to bear Eight Lucky Omens (八相縁起). 1. The hat is protection from unexpected disasters...103 viewsShigaraki tanuki is said to bear Eight Lucky Omens (八相縁起). 1. The hat is protection from unexpected disasters. 2. The smiling face is for affability, 3. The large eyes is for seeing the situation and making correct and considerate decisions, 4. The large belly is for being calm as well as bold, 5. A sake flask in the left hand for innate virtue, 6. An unpaid bill in the left hand symbolizes trust, 7. Large gonads between the legs which is the money bag for prosperity, and 8. A thick tail for reliability and stability no matter what.
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Tanuki statues at Shukaku-do.103 views
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In 1426, Shotsu took Shukaku with him to Tatebayashi and built a tiny temple. In 1468, the local Aoyagi Castle lord Akai Masamitsu (赤井正光) indebted to Shotsu, donated some of his land for the temple.102 viewsThe 13th panel explaining the famous Bunbuku Chagama folktale.
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The Sando path (参道) from Somon Gate to Sanmon Gate (山門) is lined with 21 tanuki statues on both sides. The temple really plays up on its Bunbuku Chagama folktale fame.102 views
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The legendary chagama tea pot in Morinj temple, Tatebayashi, Gunma.101 views
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Tanuki morphed into a steel tea pot at Morinji temple, Tatebayashi, Gunma Prefecture.99 views
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Most of these tanuki came from Shigaraki in Shiga Prefecture. Shigaraki is one of Japan's most famous pottery centers.99 views
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Article showing artist Yamashita Kiyoshi visiting the temple.99 views
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Shukaku-do Hall dedicated to the priest Shukaku-osho (守鶴和尚), a longtime priest supporter of Morinji temple and who brought the legendary chagama pot. 守鶴堂99 views
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Tanuki statues at Shukaku-do.99 views
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97 views
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In folklore, tanuki is a mischievous shapeshifter so it is often depicted in many different costumes.96 views
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Morinji temple's Hondo main hall was originally built in 1468 and repaired in 1727. 本堂96 views
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Tanuki sculptures96 views
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Tanuki hibachi96 views
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Folding screen showing the temple's connection to the Bunbuku Chagama folktale.96 views
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Cemetery next to the Hondo Hall.96 views
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2. The smiling face is for affability...95 views
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95 views
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Old Tanuki statues at Morinji temple,95 views
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Temple's connection to the Bunbuku Chagama folktale.95 views
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94 views
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Tanuki morphed into a steel tea pot at Morinji temple, Tatebayashi, Gunma Prefecture.94 views
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Tanuki statues at Shukaku-do.94 views
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The statues recently got painted. Before, they were just bare stone statues.93 views
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93 views
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93 views
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Sanmon Gate at Morinji temple. The Sanmon Gate is usually called the Akamon Gate 山門（通称赤門). The largest and most distinguished-looking gate.93 views
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A large weeping cherry tree hides the Hondo main hall.93 views
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Inside Hondo hall.93 views
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A side altar inside the Hondo hall.93 views
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The rear of the Hondo hall has a nice green garden.93 views
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Daruma with a tanuki face.93 views
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Sanmon Gate at Morinji temple. 山門92 views
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The Hondo Hall has a thatched-roof.92 views
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Morinji temple's Hondo main hall. 本堂92 views
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Walk along the veranda to another room exhibiting the legendary chagama tea pot.92 views
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War memorial for the Imperial Japanese Army's 2nd Tank Division which was annihilated at the Battle of the Philippines during World War II. 戦車第2師団工兵隊の碑92 views
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About the Yew plum pine.92 views
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92 views
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Morinji temple's offertory box and altar inside.91 views
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Inside Shukaku-do Hall.91 views
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Tanuki statues at Shukaku-do.91 views
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Tanuki statues at Shukaku-do.91 views
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Pay a small admission fee to enter the Hondo from the right side. You can walk around inside the Hondo hall and see the altars.90 views
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The rear of the Hondo hall has a nice green garden.90 views
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Large weeping cherry tree in front of the Hondo.90 views
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Yew plum pine90 views
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Morinji temple's Hondo main hall. 本堂89 views
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Morinji temple's Buddhist altar inside the Hondo Hall. The Shakanyorai (釈迦如来) or Gautama Buddha is worshipped. 本堂89 views
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A palanquin exhibited near the ceiling.89 views
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89 views
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Morinji temple's Hondo main hall can be entered through the reception window on the right. 300 yen admission charged (150 yen for kids). Open 9 am-4 pm. Closed Thu.88 views
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Morinji's Hondo hall also has statues of the temple founder Chief Priest Dairin Shotsu-Osho (大林正通大和尚) and longtime assistant Priest Shukaku-Osho (守鶴和尚).88 views
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Yew plum pine88 views
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Tanuki statues at Shukaku-do.87 views
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Wisteria tree87 views
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Wisteria tree86 views
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