Chūson-ji Temple
中尊寺 · 히라이즈미정
Buddhist temple in Iwate Prefecture, Japan
Contents
8 sections · tap a section for its opening lines1Orientation1:41
Welcome to Chūson-ji, the crown jewel of Hiraizumi and a designated UNESCO World Heritage site. Located in the hills of Iwate Prefecture, this temple complex was once the spiritual center of the Northern Fujiwara clan, who ruled…
Listen in the app2Tsukimizaka — The Cedar-Lined Ascent1:26
We begin our journey on Tsukimizaka, the Moon-viewing Slope. This long, gentle incline is paved with stone and lined with massive 'Sugi' (Japanese cedar) trees, many of which were planted in the Edo period by the Date clan to…
Listen in the app3Benkei-do — The Hall of the Loyal Warrior1:17
As you crest the first part of the hill, you will find the Benkei-do. This hall was reconstructed in 1827 and is dedicated to Minamoto no Yoshitsune and his legendary loyal retainer, Musashibo Benkei. …
Listen in the app4The Hondo — The Heart of Worship1:21
The Hondo, or Main Hall, is the center of religious life at Chūson-ji today. Rebuilt in 1909, it is a grand wooden structure where major ceremonies and rituals are performed. …
Listen in the app5Konjikido — The Golden Hall of Pure Land1:26
We have reached the emotional and historical climax of Chūson-ji: the Konjikido, or Golden Hall. Built in 1124, this small mausoleum is entirely covered in gold leaf, both inside and out. …
Listen in the app6Kyozo — The Repository of Sacred Wisdom1:16
Near the Golden Hall is the Kyozo, or the Sutra Repository. Originally a two-story structure, it was built by Kiyohira to house the 'Chūson-ji Sutras'—a massive collection of Buddhist scriptures written in gold and silver ink on…
Listen in the app7Hakusan Jinja Noh Stage — The Performance for the Gods1:22
To conclude our tour, we walk to the northern edge of the grounds to see the Hakusan Jinja Noh Stage. Built in 1853, this is a rare and beautiful example of an outdoor Noh stage. …
Listen in the app8Closing1:05
As we descend the Tsukimizaka and leave the golden world of Chūson-ji behind, we carry with us a vision of the Pure Land that the Fujiwara lords worked so hard to create. We have walked the 'Moon-viewing Slope,' witnessed the…
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What is Chūson-ji Temple?
Chūson-ji Temple is a place in 히라이즈미정 with 8 story sections on Tellby. You can read the opening of each section on this page; the sound plays in the app.
| Location | 히라이즈미정 |
|---|---|
| Type | Heritage |
| Story sections | 8 |
| Total length | 10 min 54 s in all |
| Text language | English |
| Coordinates | 39.0014, 141.0997 |
| Last updated |
