 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.654 views
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4. The large belly is for being calm as well as bold...646 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.622 views
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A giant Tanuki raccoon dog statue at Morinji temple at Tatebayashi, Gunma Prefecture. Donated by Tobu Railway in 1960.533 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. 523 views
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On the way back out, passing by the 21 tanuki raccoon dog statues again.499 views
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Tanuki raccoon dog statue at Morinji temple at Tatebayashi, Gunma Prefecture.495 views
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Tanuki raccoon dog statue at Morinji temple at Tatebayashi, Gunma Prefecture.483 views
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469 views
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462 views
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Room exhibiting the legendary chagama tea pot in Morinj temple, Tatebayashi, Gunma.443 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.433 views
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Room exhibiting the legendary chagama tea pot in Morinj temple, Tatebayashi, Gunma.420 views
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385 views
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Painting of a tanuki chagama.349 views
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7. Large gonads between the legs which is the money bag for prosperity...347 views
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346 views
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Morinji-mae Station. Morinji temple is a short walk away (660 meters).342 views
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A palanquin exhibited near the ceiling.342 views
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337 views
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Women's restroom at the Morinji parking lot has a tanuki design.334 views
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Even at the Morinji temple parking lot, tanuki statues.333 views
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6. An unpaid bill in the left hand symbolizes trust...326 views
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326 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.325 views
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5. A sake flask in the left hand for innate virtue...324 views
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About the the legendary chagama tea pot in Morinj temple, Tatebayashi, Gunma. There are other versions of the folktale.322 views
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Tanuki statues at Shukaku-do. This one was says "Welcome" in Kansai dialect, saying ""oideyasu."322 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.318 views
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The way to Morinji temple is lined with some tourist souvenir shops.318 views
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The legendary chagama tea pot in Morinj temple, Tatebayashi, Gunma.318 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. 317 views
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316 views
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A stone marker for Morinji temple, designating it as one of Tatebayashi's 100 Famous Sites.316 views
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Article showing artist Yamashita Kiyoshi visiting the temple.315 views
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314 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.313 viewsThe 13th panel explaining the famous Bunbuku Chagama folktale.
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Large weeping cherry tree in front of the Hondo.313 views
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312 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.311 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.308 views
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Tanuki statues in the showcase looked very old.308 views
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Inside Shukaku-do Hall.308 views
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Tanuki statues on the right side of the Sando path to the Sanmon Gate.306 views
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Walk along the veranda to another room exhibiting the legendary chagama tea pot.306 views
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305 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305 views
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304 views
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3. The large eyes is for seeing the situation and making correct and considerate decisions...304 views
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Then there's a showroom of many tanuki sculptures, both wooden and stuffed.304 views
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Yew plum pine304 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...302 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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The Hondo Hall has a thatched-roof.301 views
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Inside Hondo hall.300 views
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297 views
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The statues recently got painted. Before, they were just bare stone statues.296 views
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Tanuki statues at Shukaku-do.295 views
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Morinji temple's Hondo main hall. 本堂294 views
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Morinji temple's Hondo main hall was originally built in 1468 and repaired in 1727. 本堂294 views
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294 views
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About the Yew plum pine.293 views
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Tanuki sculptures292 views
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Old Tanuki statues at Morinji temple,292 views
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Tanuki statues at Shukaku-do.292 views
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291 views
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Tanuki statues at Shukaku-do.291 views
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Tanuki statues on the left side of the Sando path to the Sanmon Gate.290 views
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Morinji temple's Hondo main hall. 本堂290 views
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A room with more scrolls and paintings of chagama.290 views
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8. A thick tail for reliability and stability no matter what.289 views
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The rear of the Hondo hall has a nice green garden.287 views
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Temple's connection to the Bunbuku Chagama folktale.287 views
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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.286 views
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Sanmon Gate at Morinji temple. 山門286 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.286 views
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Tanuki statues at Shukaku-do.285 views
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In folklore, tanuki is a mischievous shapeshifter so it is often depicted in many different costumes.284 views
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Tanuki morphed into a steel tea pot at Morinji temple, Tatebayashi, Gunma Prefecture.284 views
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2. The smiling face is for affability...284 views
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The rear of the Hondo hall has a nice green garden.284 views
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A side altar inside the Hondo hall.282 views
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The legendary chagama tea pot in Morinj temple, Tatebayashi, Gunma.282 views
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281 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).281 views
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Folding screen showing the temple's connection to the Bunbuku Chagama folktale.279 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279 views
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278 views
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Wisteria tree278 views
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A large weeping cherry tree hides the Hondo main hall.277 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277 views
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Yew plum pine277 views
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Cemetery next to the Hondo Hall.276 views
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Daruma with a tanuki face.273 views
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Wisteria tree272 views
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Tanuki statues at Shukaku-do.271 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.270 views
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Tanuki hibachi266 views
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Tanuki morphed into a steel tea pot at Morinji temple, Tatebayashi, Gunma Prefecture.264 views
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Tanuki statues at Shukaku-do.261 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.259 views
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Morinji temple's offertory box and altar inside.252 views
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