【English】All About Hiraizumi #37 The history of Hiraizumi Chapter 2

Broadcasted on February 3rd, 2016 　The history of Hiraizumi Kiyohira, the first lord of Oshu Fujiwara Clan aimed at building ‘a peaceful Buddhist city with no war’. Motohira, the second lord, inherited the vision and took on establishing Motsu-ji. 　Motohira, in his closing years, began building Motsu-ji in 1150. It was a huge undertaking which continued till the era of the third lord Hidehira. On the temple grounds stood the main hall ‘Kondo Enryu-ji’, surrounded by more than 40 temples and towers. ‘Ryutogekishu’ boats floated on Oizumi ga Ike Pond. The shining beauty of the scenery was such that represented the city blossoming in the land of Michinoku (Mutsu Province). The temple was praised in ‘Azuma Kagami’, the official historic chronicle of Kamakura Shogunate. Several fires reduced every last one of the buildings to ashes but foundation stones and mounds still remain which were the basis of the buildings and posts of Buddhist halls and corridors. They are preserved as valuable evidence of how buildings were structured during the Heian Period. 　Motsu-ji garden which re-creates the Pure Land on this earth passes to the present the ideas and technique of ‘Sakuteiki (Treatise on Garden Making), Japan’s oldest garden manual. With Mt. Doyama as a back ground, it represents the nature and creates the pure world of Buddhism. The main hall, built in 1989, enshrines Yakushi Nyorai, ‘Buddha that saves people from hardship’ the same way it did in the Heian Period. 　Motsu-ji, built with the vision to bring peace and true ease of mind during war torn era, may be reflecting the prayers of people 800 years ago. Tourism and Commerce Division, Hiraizumi Town Hall [email protected] Hiraizumi Tourism Association Facebook   / hiraizumitourismassociationen