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Motsuji temple is part of the "Historic Monuments and Sites of Hiraizumi" World Heritage Site. It belongs to the Tendai Buddhist sect. This is the gate to enter Motsuji temple.
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Motsuji was founded in 850 by Ennin, the third abbot of Tendai based at Enryakuji temple atop Mt. Hiei in Shiga Prefecture. This is their museum called Cultural Assets Repository.
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Since most of the temple structures burnt down, the main attraction today is the 800-year-old Pure Land Garden featuring a large pond called Oizumi ga Ike.
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English translation of a Haiku poem by Basho, in reference to the temple buildings that were long gone when he visited.
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About the haiku poem by Basho.
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Haiku poet Basho monument
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What Motsu-ji temple looked like before.
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Weeping cherries and Motsuji's Hondo hall in Hiraizumi, Iwate Prefecture.
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Motsuji's Hondo main hall was built in 1989.
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Motsuji's Hondo main hall was built in 1989.
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Incense burner
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Motsu-ji's Hondo main hall.
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About Motsuji's Hondo main hall. Nice to see English explanations.
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Inside Motsuji's Hondo main hall. It worships Yakushi, flanked by two Boddhisatvas, Nikko ("Daylight") and Gakko ("Moonlight").
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After you see the Hondo main hall, you basically walk around the garden's Oizumi ga Ike pond while seeing former temple sites and smaller buildings.
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The garden has been restored to its original condition.
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About mountain-like formations.
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Irises donated by Meiji Jingu Shrine in Tokyo.
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Oizumi ga Ike pond at Motsuji temple, in Hiraizumi, Iwate Prefecture. World Heritage Site.
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Kaisando is the Founder's Hall dedicated to Priest Ennin. 開山堂
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About Kaisando, the Founder's Hall dedicated to Priest Ennin.
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Inside Kaisando, the Founder's Hall dedicated to Priest Ennin.
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Oizumi ga Ike pond at Motsuji temple, in Hiraizumi, Iwate Prefecture. World Heritage Site.
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Site of Kashoji temple at Motsuji, Hiraizumi. 嘉祥寺
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Site of Kashoji temple at Motsuji, Hiraizumi. 嘉祥寺
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Site of Kashoji temple at Motsuji, Hiraizumi. 嘉祥寺
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Site of Enryuji temple's Kondo hall at Motsuji, Hiraizumi. 圓隆寺
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Site of Enryuji temple's Kondo hall at Motsuji, Hiraizumi. It's depressing to keep seeing these empty plots which used to have magnificent temple structures. 圓隆寺
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Yarimizu stream feeding water to the pond.
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Yarimizu stream feeding water to the pond.
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Yarimizu stream feeding water to the pond.
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About the Yarimizu stream feeding water to the pond.
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Site of the temple bell or befry.
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Motsuji's Hondo hall on the right as seen from across the pond.
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Jizo Bosatsu statue.
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About the Jizo Bosatsu statue.
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Jogyodo
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Jogyodo Hall, this building was built in 1732.
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Jogyodo Hall, Motsuji temple, Hiraizumi.
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About Jogyodo Hall.
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Jogyodo Hall worships Amida Buddha.
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Temple bell rebuilt in 1975.
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About the new temple bell.
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About Suhama Beach
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Suhama Beach is a peninsular beach at Motsuji temple, Hiraizumi, Iwate Prefecture. World Heritage Site.
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Rocks representing peninsular sea cliffs. One symbol of the garden.
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