Home > GUNMA 群馬県 > Tatebayashi 館林市 > Morinji Temple 茂林寺

Most viewed - Morinji Temple 茂林寺
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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.408 views
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Also see my photos of Shigaraki tanuki in Shiga Prefecture here.374 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. 317 views
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4. The large belly is for being calm as well as bold...275 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.259 views
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On the way back out, passing by the 21 tanuki raccoon dog statues again.249 views
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A giant Tanuki raccoon dog statue at Morinji temple at Tatebayashi, Gunma Prefecture. Donated by Tobu Railway in 1960.213 views
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Tanuki raccoon dog statue at Morinji temple at Tatebayashi, Gunma Prefecture.183 views
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Tanuki raccoon dog statue at Morinji temple at Tatebayashi, Gunma Prefecture.181 views
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Room exhibiting the legendary chagama tea pot in Morinj temple, Tatebayashi, Gunma.181 views
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Room exhibiting the legendary chagama tea pot in Morinj temple, Tatebayashi, Gunma.181 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.174 views
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Morinji's tourist souvenir shops sell mainly tanuki statues made in Shigaraki, Shiga Prefecture.166 views
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It felt like I was in Shigaraki, Shiga Prefecture.129 views
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6. An unpaid bill in the left hand symbolizes trust...122 views
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7. Large gonads between the legs which is the money bag for prosperity...121 views
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The way to Morinji temple is lined with some tourist souvenir shops.116 views
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A stone marker for Morinji temple, designating it as one of Tatebayashi's 100 Famous Sites.116 views
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Morinji-mae Station. Morinji temple is a short walk away (660 meters).111 views
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Even at the Morinji temple parking lot, tanuki statues.111 views
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5. A sake flask in the left hand for innate virtue...111 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.103 views
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Tanuki statues on the right side of the Sando path to the Sanmon Gate.103 views
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3. The large eyes is for seeing the situation and making correct and considerate decisions...99 views
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8. A thick tail for reliability and stability no matter what.99 views
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The legendary chagama tea pot in Morinj temple, Tatebayashi, Gunma.96 views
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About the the legendary chagama tea pot in Morinj temple, Tatebayashi, Gunma. There are other versions of the folktale.96 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.95 views
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A room with more scrolls and paintings of chagama.95 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.94 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.94 views
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Painting of a tanuki chagama.93 views
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Tanuki statues at Shukaku-do. This one was says "Welcome" in Kansai dialect, saying ""oideyasu."93 views
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Tanuki statues on the left side of the Sando path to the Sanmon Gate.92 views
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Tanuki statues at Shukaku-do.92 views
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Women's restroom at the Morinji parking lot has a tanuki design.90 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. 90 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.90 viewsThe 13th panel explaining the famous Bunbuku Chagama folktale.
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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...90 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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Then there's a showroom of many tanuki sculptures, both wooden and stuffed.90 views
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Tanuki statues in the showcase looked very old.89 views
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Tanuki morphed into a steel tea pot at Morinji temple, Tatebayashi, Gunma Prefecture.88 views
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The legendary chagama tea pot in Morinj temple, Tatebayashi, Gunma.88 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.87 views
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Folding screen showing the temple's connection to the Bunbuku Chagama folktale.87 views
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2. The smiling face is for affability...86 views
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Old Tanuki statues at Morinji temple,86 views
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86 views
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Article showing artist Yamashita Kiyoshi visiting the temple.86 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86 views
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Tanuki statues at Shukaku-do.86 views
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Tanuki sculptures85 views
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In folklore, tanuki is a mischievous shapeshifter so it is often depicted in many different costumes.84 views
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Tanuki morphed into a steel tea pot at Morinji temple, Tatebayashi, Gunma Prefecture.84 views
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Morinji temple's Hondo main hall was originally built in 1468 and repaired in 1727. 本堂84 views
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Morinji temple's offertory box and altar inside.83 views
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Temple's connection to the Bunbuku Chagama folktale.83 views
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The statues recently got painted. Before, they were just bare stone statues.82 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.82 views
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A large weeping cherry tree hides the Hondo main hall.82 views
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The rear of the Hondo hall has a nice green garden.82 views
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Tanuki statues at Shukaku-do.82 views
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Sanmon Gate at Morinji temple. 山門81 views
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Inside Hondo hall.81 views
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Tanuki hibachi81 views
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Tanuki statues at Shukaku-do.81 views
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Daruma with a tanuki face.81 views
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Morinji temple's Hondo main hall. 本堂80 views
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A side altar inside the Hondo hall.80 views
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The rear of the Hondo hall has a nice green garden.80 views
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Tanuki statues at Shukaku-do.80 views
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Cemetery next to the Hondo Hall.80 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.79 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).79 views
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79 views
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Walk along the veranda to another room exhibiting the legendary chagama tea pot.79 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79 views
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About the Yew plum pine.79 views
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Wisteria tree79 views
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Morinji temple's Hondo main hall. 本堂78 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.78 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78 views
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Yew plum pine78 views
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Wisteria tree78 views
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The Hondo Hall has a thatched-roof.77 views
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Tanuki statues at Shukaku-do.77 views
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Large weeping cherry tree in front of the Hondo.77 views
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A palanquin exhibited near the ceiling.76 views
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Inside Shukaku-do Hall.76 views
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Yew plum pine75 views
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