GANSHO-IN TEMPLE

It was in this Zen temple, located about 2 km from the station, that Hokusai painted the famous phoenix on the ceiling of the main hall, a painting done in 1848. He was then 89 years old. The name of the painting is The phoenix looking in the eight directions. The work is large: 584 x 636 cm. The painting was made on twelve cypress wood panels and fixed to the ceiling. In the garden of the temple is a pond which is said to have inspired the famous haiku master, Issa, to write one of his most famous poems. A visit highly recommended.