CHUSON-JI

A World Heritage site, this temple founded in 850 by the monk Ennin (Jikaku Daishi) is the most important of the Tendai Buddhist sect. The complex was ordered by the first lord of the Ōshū Fujiwara clan, Kiyohira, in the ^12th century to recreate the Buddhist Pure Land for the consolidation of all the departed souls of the warriors who had lost their lives in the two major conflicts of the late 11th century, the civil wars of 1051-1062 and 1083-1087, in northern Japan. Destroyed by fire in 1337, it was partly rebuilt by Masamune Date (1567-1636) in the ^17th century. Of the ancient buildings, only the Konjiki-dō and the Kyōzō remain. The temple enclosure represents a major treasure trove of Buddhist art from the Heian period, with over 3,000 national treasures.

The Kyōzō, (sutra collection), is located on the side of the Konjikidō. It is designated as an Important Cultural Property. It was originally the entrance to the temple. It was damaged by fire in 1337. It is surrounded by maple trees, resplendent in autumn.

The Konjikidō was completed in 1124. Its main figure is Amida Nyorai (the Buddha of infinite light), flanked by Kannon (the Boddhisatva of wisdom) on his left and several Saviors of Hell, the Jizō Boddhiatvas, and two guardian kings. It is entirely covered in black lacquer inlaid with mother-of-pearl and painted. It contains sculptures of Amida, Kannon, Jizō and Niten. Most of the temple's interior is covered in gold leaf.