World Heritage Site

Michinoku Pilgrimage Four-Temple Journey
Chuson-ji Temple and Motsu-ji
Temple in Hiraizumi, Zuigan-ji
Te m p l e i n M a t s u s h i m a , a n d
Risshaku-ji Temple in Yamagata
were all founded by the priest
Ennin (Jikaku Daishi). They arealso temples that the famous
haiku poet, Matsuo Basho, visitedon his Oku no Hosomichi(Narrow Road to the Interior) travels. Collect the shuin (red seals)of the four temples in a special red seal book to receive acommemorative colored paper, or transcribe sutras onto special
paper and give them to the four temples to receive a talisman as
evidence of your pilgrimage.
Why not visit the four temples as milestones on yourMichinoku journey?

New Year's Shrine Visit［from January 1st］
Setsubun［February 3］
Spring Fujiwara Festival［May 1-5］
Chuson-ji Temple Lotuses［Mid-July to Mid-August］
Fire-lit Noh［August 14］

Chuson-ji Temple
This is the head temple of the Tendai
sect of Buddhism in Tohoku. It wasfounded in 850 by the priest Ennin (JikakuDaishi). The impressive temple complexwas commissioned by Kiyohira, the first
Oshu Fujiwara lord, at the beginning of the12th century. It was built to represent theBuddhist Pure Land, to console the soulsof all those, whether friend or enemy, whodied in two major conflicts at the end of
the 11th century. Although many of thehalls were destroyed by fire in the 14 thcentury, the precinct is still a treasure troveof Heian period Buddhist art, with moret h a n 3 , 0 0 0 N a t i o n a l Tr e a s u r e s a n d
Im por t an t Cul t ur al A ssets i ncl udi n g
Konjikido (the Golden Hall).
‘Hi r ai z um i – Tem ples, Ga r d en s a n dArcheological Sites Representing theBuddhist Pure Land’ was registered as a
UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2011.

Daimonji Festival［August 16］
Chrysanthemum Festival［October 20-November 15］
Autumn Fujiwara Festival［November 1-3］

Along the Way
Climb up the main approach, called Tsukimizaka (MoonViewing Slope), to experience the history of Chuson-jiTemple and the culture of the Oshu Fujiwara clan firsthand.
A temple shuin (red seal), Kanzan incense, Konen-cha tea
or Kokuhomai rice will further
deepen memories of your travels.

Mobile SiteChuson-ji Administrative Offices
202 Koromonoseki, Hiraizumi-cho, Iwate-ken, 029-4195
Tel:-46-2211（0191）

Kyozo（Sutra Repository）《Important Cultural Property》

The K yozo (Sutra Repositor y ), beside theKonjikido, formerly housed the Chuson-ji Sutras.
Original Heianera materials
were re-used inmany places after
the Kyozo wasdamaged by firein 1337. The areain f ront of thehall is a beautiful
sight in Autumn,
when the red
Japanese maple
leaves are fallingto the ground.

Chuson-ji Sutras《National Treasure》

The Kinginji Kosho Issaikyo (complete sutras written inalternating lines of gold and silver on dark blue paper) wascommissioned by Kiyohira while the Kinji Issaikyo, precious
because of its wide variety of decorative illustrations, wascommissioned by Hidehira. They represent the highest point ofJapan's history of sutra transcription.
More than 100 participants take part in the day-long Lotus
Sutra transcription held on the second Sunday of June, keeping
the traditions of this "sutra transcription temple" alive to this day.

Konjikido（Golden Hall）

Hondo（Main Hall）

The principal image of Chuson-ji’s Main
Hall is a joroku (5.3m) Shaka Nyorai(Historical Buddha). A monthly memorialservice for the four generations of theFujiwara clan members, Tendai sect ancestralmemorial services, day-long Lotus Sutra
transcription, and other Buddhist rites areperformed here. Inside are eternal flames, litfrom one in the Tendai sect’s main temple,
Enryaku-ji, which is reputed to have burned
since being lit by the sect’s founder Saicho(Dengyo Daishi) more than 1,200 years ago.
Family memorial services, zazen meditationand sutra transcription are also held here.

《National Treasure》

Hon-do（Main Hall）

Sankozo（Museum）

The Sankozo contains more than 3,000
National Treasures and Important Cultural
Assets. You can see Buddhist statues andobjects, sutras, documents, Fujiwara clan
burial accoutrements etc., in the exhibition
rooms.

Sankozo（Museum）

Completed in 1124, this hall is unique. The principal
image is Amida Nyorai (the Buddha of Infinite Light) withKannon (the Boddhisatva of Compassion) on the rightand Seishi (the Boddhisatva of Wisdom) on the left. Six
Jizo Boddhisatvas (Saviors from Hell) and two GuardianKings, Jikokuten and Zochoten stand in front. Almost allof the hall is covered with gold-leaf and represents theradiant western Pure Land (gokuraku) or Land of Utmost
Bliss.
The inner sanctuary, lavishly decorated with raden(inlaid lustrous shell), maki-e (gold-sprinkled lacquer) andelaborate carving, is the pinnacle of Heian Buddhist art.
The remains of the first Oshu Fujiwara lord Kiyohirarest beneath the central altar, those of the second lord
Motohira under the left altar and those of the third lord
Hidehira, with the head of fourth generation lord,
Yasuhira, beneath the right altar.