Temple in the land of Perfect Bliss

 Temple in the land of Perfect Bliss

Byodoin (平等院) temple is a world heritage site in the Uji (宇治) city near the Kyoto city. Famous as the location of the Hou-ou-do (鳳凰堂) or the Phenix Hall which is, needless to say, one of Japan's leading architecture. Speaking about our experience, we had visited there long time ago, but, we haven't after the big scale renovation during 2012 to 2014.

At the very beginning of this temple, there were many buildings in the area. However, repeated disasters of wars destroyed them, and only the Hou-ou-do survived miraculously. As for the building date of this precious structure, it is said that the Hou-ou-do was completed at 1053.

We suppose this survived building wasn't built at 1053 but at the beginning of the 12th century. Because the first renovation held then included the change of the basement. Assuming that, it's more reasonable to think that everything was restarted then.

Even if you follow our idea, it's been 900 years and more since it was built. Don't you think it's miraculous that such aged-building still survives?

A visit

The Byodoin is located at the west shore of the Uji river. Strictly speaking, the Uji river doesn't run from south to north but from southeast to northwest. The old city area is spread in the west shore of the river, and the Byodoin is located in this old city area. The temple area is east of the narrow road from the Uji bridge which is north of Byodoin. And the eastern end of the temple is the Uji river.

The southern end is adjoining a road heading toward the Nara city. So, the temple area seems to be locked up in a narrow space now. Between the river and the temple area, there is a promenade now, but the temple bordered the river in the old time. 

By the way, there is a concrete square-box-shaped building near the south gate of the temple. It's the Hoshokan (鳳翔館) treasure museum. It's very difficult to imagine there's a one thousand aged building inside this quite modern entrance.

We don't have any information about these buildings inside the temple area. So, we aimed the reception counter for the people wanted to enter the Hou-ou-do. The visitors' route continues from the entrance shed at the south gate to the reception counter of the Hou-ou-do. Heading to the counter, we can see the back view of the Hou-ou-do. The counter is on the right side of the building from its front. We reserved the admission of entrance, and strolled at the south garden of the Hou-ou-do.

The facade of the Hou-ou-do is just as imagined. Namely, this is exactly one of the most popular buildings in Japan. We know in our mind the shape looking like a bird spreading both wings widely in front of a wide pond.

On the contrary, whenever we visit other iconic historical buildings, we always find something different from our memory. For example, the Himeji Castle (姫路城), the Matsumoto Castle (松本城), the Kinkaku-ji (金閣寺), the Kiyomizudera (清水寺) temple, we found differences from what we expected. Before visiting the Hou-ou-do, we have been believing that some kind of difference would exist in the real. Then, maybe we are quite surprised by the new finding.

However, our prediction changes in the profile view. 

Because the profile view of this building is too much thin, or there isn't depth of the structure. The wide-wing structures look like imitation. In other words, the wide-wing structures are only for the front view. In that sense, it's a strange idea but, the Hou-ou-do has the same design concept like European church architecture. The strong facade intentionality.

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Now, using the knowledge from books, we would like to explain why we felt the facade of the Hou-ou-do was exactly same as that we expected. In other words, why the beauty of the facade is completed so much perfectly.

The first reason is related to the side-wings. The side-wings have three layers. The first floor is consisted of uncovered pillars only, so, you can look behind of the building. And the second floor is covered with wide room like banquet seats. Speaking on the third floor, there are small watch towers in the both ends of side-wings. By the combination uncovered first floor, massive second floor and small third floor makes the viewer concentrate on the center building. Please have a second look at the picture we upload. You will be surprised by this idea, at least we are surprised. 

In addition, there aren't stairs to the second floors in these wing-structures. If so, there may be the second floor in the center building and people would visit the wing-structures' second floor from the center building. But, to tell the truth, the wing-structures aren't connected with the center building. So, the center building and both side-wing structures are independent three buildings. When you look at this building from far opposite side of the facade, you would think it's a one consisted building but the truth is it's not. And this is also the trick for the beauty of the Hou-ou-do. Structures aren't necessary for the beauty are scraped off from this building. 

The third reason is related to the center building, the Amida-do (阿弥陀堂). It has an unreasonable balcony above the main entrance door. Please have a third look at the picture we upload. This balcony also has no approach. It's difficult to suppose the reason of the existence of an unaccessible balcony. It's also the secret trick for the beauty. 

There might be other tricks more detailed. As a whole, this building is not for the people's use but for the reproduction of a utopia. Because this building is an imitation of the palace of Buddhism paradise. The fact that the basic building is only a center one, the Amida-do, but there are double width meaningless wing-buildings. And useless balcony only for its design. What a wonderful utopia.

We believe the religious architecture is not for practical use but for mental impact. In that sense, it's more reasonable to pursue religious ideals. Like peacock spreading wings wide to intimidate its enemies, this building spreading wing-structures wide to gain the faith of believers. 

Maybe it's not important but we would like to add this information. Behind the Amida-do, the center building, there is a tail structure. We can't find the explanation about the use of this part. So, the use of it is unclear. However, we personally suppose this is also for its beauty. Because if there isn't this part, the whole profile of the Hou-ou-do will look too much flimsy.  

By the way, we would like to explain the inside of the Amida-do. When we started the short tour of the Amida-do, we entered the building from the right side near the reception counter. On the first-floor of the right wing-structure, we took off our shoes. And we walked a narrow first-floor veranda to the south entrance door, and entered the hall. There is only a 3-meter- high Amida (阿弥陀) statue, and no other Buddha statue. There isn't any information there was only an Amida statue or other statues were removed a long time ago. 

On the surface of surrounding-walls, colored paintings were drawn. However, more than 900 years weathering avoids understanding of the paintings. We have no idea what kind of drawings were painted there. In 2012 to 2014, this building was renovated and some part of the paintings were re-drawn by the specialist. According to the paper for the tourists, the drawings are the 9 scenery after death. It's too difficult to imagine the scenery for us. 

Around the Hou-ou-do, several Buddhism halls are standing. However, there is no information in the paper for the tourists. We suppose these buildings are omitted from tour routes. At the Hoshokan treasure museum, you can see several sculptures from closing up. Beside the treasure museum, tea house is located. The treasure museum and the tea house are quite modern, but you can appreciate the suggestiveness of this sightseeing place. 

Why there?

The Uji town is located in the 15 kilometers south of the Kyoto city where the Emperors have been living. And the Byodoin was build in the Uji town. Why the owner built this temple in the Uji town but in the Kyoto city? 

At that time, novel people ruled Japan especially the Kyoto city. They owned wide site surrounded Kyoto. Especially scenic areas were owned by powerful people. And they made their second house or villa there.

This place was also villa of the Fujiwara (藤原) clan (very powerful novel people). One of the head person of this clan happened to make a temple. And he ordered to renovate his villa into a giant temple. This is the beginning of the Byodoin.

The orderer imagined a reproduce the Buddhism palace in the imaginal world named the Gokuraku Jodo (極楽浄土), the land of Perfect Bliss. So, the Hou-ou-do was not made as the place to enshrine the Amida statue. It was the visualization of the Buddhism palace.

Travelers from Kyoto to the Uji town visited the Fushimi town which was located in the south of Kyoto at that time. And they changed their route to the east. Because south of the Fushimi town was a massive lake named Ogura-ike. Travelers went south along the east coast of the lake. And, at the southern end of the lake, they found the Uji bridge, and other side of the bridge was the Uji town.

By the way, according to the Buddhist Scripture, the Gokuraku Jodo is in the west end. The orderer of the Byodoin temple resembled the west coast of the Uji river as the Gokuraku Jodo. He made the Hou-ou-do bordering the Uji river. So, people standing on the east shore of the river would consider as the real palace in the Gokuraku Jodo. 

This concept was a big success. The impressive exterior of the Hou-ou-do graved people's mind intensely. After the success of this temple, the architectural style of this temple was imitated so many times. It's no exaggeration to say, it was a big boom. The most famous imitated temple was the Mootuji (毛越寺) temple in Iwate (岩手) Pref. which is registered as a world heritage site. However, there is no building there. Because an ancient war-disaster destroyed it, and only footings remain there. 

Koto three temples

What is 'Koto Sanzan (湖東三山)' ? In this article, we want to focus on it. First of all, we will search the literal meaning. 'Koto' means 'east of lake', and, in this instance, it means 'eastern region of the Lake Biwa'. And, 'sanzan' means 'three mountains', and this time, is '3 temples'. In Japan, many temples have long names, for instance, 'some mountain plus some temple'. The reason they have the former part of their names is their location. Many old temples were established on feet of mountains, so they were called mountain name plus temple name.   

Each of Koto Sanzan's temples is described below.

Ryuouzan Saimyoji (Ryuou-mountain Saimy-temple)
Shohouzan Kongorinji (Shoho-mountain Kongorin-temple)
Shakasan Hyakusaiji (Shaka-moutain Hyakusai-temple) 

According to a guide book, 'Koto Sanzan' was once 'Koto Gozan' (Koto 5 temples) in the Muromachi period (5～600 years ago). And, other two temples were 'Binmanji' and 'Daikakuji', and these two temples declined severely, so survived 3 temples gathered attention. In this way, catchphrase, 'Koto Sanzan' and 3 temples became popular. 

However, we don't have evidence of existence of the name in the documents, furthermore, 'Koto Sanzan' have no other description except the guide book. 
The result we searched is that 'Koto Sanzan' was a catchphrase of an advertisement of a regular sightseeing bus at a little past time. It was made around 1965, when there was a big tourist boom all around Japan. And a regular sightseeing bus company created a new bus route traveling these three temples. The truth is the truth, but it's convenient to describe these three temples in line with this classification.     


Ryuouzan Saimyoji (Saimyoji temple)

It established approximately 1200 years ago. There was around 300 accommodation for monks in its heyday. Now, Meishin Highway runs across the site of this temple, in other words, it crosses underground of the approach between the entrance and the main buildings. It's pity, we would like to argue loudly because that it is a cultural property! However, at the inner entrance of this temple, there is no traffic sound, so we can feel tranquility.

Main hall and three-storied pagoda are national treasures, and these are estimated to be built during the Kamakura period (around 800 years ago). 

Some of Buddha statues are important cultural assets. Once there was a great fire and many buildings were burnt, and Buddha statues were removed into the main hall, so they are all survived. But, there isn't enough space for them and they are crowded in the hall. Photography is prohibited in the hall. So we cannot take photos of Buddha statues. If we explain by our words, they are very charming and beautiful. 

There is a special guide in the main hall, and he explains the history and the character of the Buddha statues very kindly.   

Our special interest is communality and history not the beginning days but Oda Nobunaga's era. Because, to tell the truth, we aren't interested in the beginning of them. We already described 'Koto' means the region of the east of the Lake Biwa. And, 'Koto' was a main battle field when Oda Nobunaga was active. So, not only for us but also for many Japanese interested in the history, this typical moment is quite remarkable. 

Real history between Saimyoji and Nobunaga is below. Nobunaga carried out the notorious Siege of Mount Hiei (1571) on September 15th and following few days. After that, he went back to his headquarters, the Gifu castle. 

We found a description of a Saimyoji's paper for tourists that Nobunaga ordered to fire Tendai-sect temples around Koto region. And, Saimyoji was a Tendai-sect temple, and it was badly burnt and many buildings were lost then. 

In the official record of Nobunaga, there was no description of the firing order, and he made another order in this timing. The order was to kill a warrior. This order was recorded in the official record of Nobunaga.

The warrior was born in Omi (Shiga Prefecture), and became a subordinate of Nobunaga's enemy, and after he betrayed his master and became Nobunaga's 

subordinate, however, he betrayed again, so Nobunaga commanded to kill him. 

According to a paper of Saimyoji, the commander who recieved the killing order was the same person who commanded the firing to Saimyoji. We doubt he really received the firing order. Our reasoning is that only killing order was recorded and firing order was not. Why only killing order was recorded? 

Moreover, by the Saimyoji's explanation, Nobunaga commanded the firing of Tendai-sect temples, why other temples, for example Kongorinnji and Hyakusaiji weren't burnt? Regarding this matter, we suppose Saimyoji released this information without solid grounds.   

Now, we want to mention positive information. 
This temple was enumerated one of Japan's 36 most beautiful places (by CNN Travel). The reason is contrast of the main hall and autumn leaves is excellent.

Further information is a garden which was made during the Edo period. It is named 'Horaitei', located beside of the wide approach to the main hall, and it is registered as Place of Scenic Beauty by the national government. 

This garden is located in front of a monk's accommodation. We go through a small gate beside it. The garden is a stroll garden with a pond. Beyond the pond, we enter a walking path, and it connects to the main hall area. 

If you aren't interested in this garden, you can go up to the main hall using the wide main path. When you follow the tourist route, you enter the main hall area from a sub-gate and you find the three-stories pagoda in front of you. 

They might intend a visual effect for the visitors. And, there is a special guide in it, and he explains the history and the character of the Buddha statues humorously.   


Shohouzan Kongorinji (Kongorinji temple)

It established 100 years earlier than Saimyoji, approximately 1300 years ago. There is no description about its scale. Originally Kongorinji was one of 'Mikkyo' temples, which were established deep inside mountains. These temples usually didn't have so many surrounding buildings. We suppose this temple was the smallest among three. 

On the other hand, current situation is different. The width of its property would be opposite, and it would be the widest among three temples now. And main hall is located at around 500-meter distant place from the entrance gate. 

Approach path is wide and almost flat during the first 100 meters or so, however, it changes into the natural stone stairs in its later part. The stairs continue endlessly, we become nervous, whether we can reach our destination or not. 
However, there is another route for vehicle users, so, anyone afraid of his walking ability can go up to a near point of the main hall. 

Although we recommend walking, because you can experience the atmosphere that a 'Mikkyo' temple creates. 

The main hall was constructed approximately 730 years ago. So, it is original and national treasure. The three-stories pagoda was built approximately 650 years ago. This pagoda was badly damaged, but renovated 45 years ago, so it is also original (an important national asset). Photography is prohibited in the hall, so there is no photo of Buddha statues. In this hall, visitors can approach very close to the Buddha statues.

By the way, real history between Kongorinji and Nobunaga is also attractive. According to a paper for tourists, this temple was also fired by Nobunaga's army in 1573. The reason why Nobunaga ordered to fire this temple was a little strange. 
Neighboring Hyakusaiji risked carrying in food to the Namazure castle, where was occupied by Nobunaga's enemy. Then, Kongorinji was considered as an accomplice. However, this temple was not guilty. We wonder if his order was really done by such unclear reason.

All the years of Nobunaga administration, temples had strong political power as close as samurai's power, sometimes samurai group attacked temples. On the contrary, Toyotomi's and Tokugawa's time, power balance between samurai and temples was changed, and temples lost their power. Toyotomi and Tokugawa were maybe more tolerant than Oda Nobunaga. But, in their time, samurai administrations didn't need to fight against temples' power any more. That is the reason attitude to temples was quite different between Nobunaga and his successors, we suppose.

As 'Horaitei' garden existed in the Saimyoji temple, there is a wide garden around a monk's accommodation, 'Myojuin' in the Kongorinnji temple. This garden is divided into three parts. The first part near the entrance was made in the Momoyama era, about 430 years ago. And the second part center of this garden was during the beginning of the Edo period, about 400 years ago. And the deepest part was during the end of the Edo period, about 170 years ago. 
However, no documents and evidence, people don't consider as an important cultural place. So, it isn't registered as a Place of Scenic Beauty, but, it's a quite innovative and attractive garden.

In the second part, a tea house is placed, and we can not enter it. Furthermore, we can enter the veranda of the accommodation, but we can't enter the Japanese-style room.

We go out of the site of the accommodation. The main hall is far above the slope and endless stairs.


* The main hall (from information board)

This building is considered to be built at 1288 from an evidence below. At the 'Shumidan' (*1) inside of the building, there are many metal fittings. And one of the metal fittings, a record of the construction date (1288). So, experts consider this building is one of large-scale 'Mikkyo' style main-halls which was made in the Kamakura period. Floor plan of it is 7 interval width and 7 interval depth. At that time, width and depth were counted by intervals (pillar to pillar is one interval). And the roof is a hip-and-gable roof, 'Irimoya-zukuri' (*2). Inside of the 'Mikkyo' style main-halls are divided into 'Gaijin' and 'Naijin'. 'Gaijin' is a prayer space, monks and believers gathers, and 'Naijin' is a divine space, usually many Buddha statued are installed. There are boundaries made by lattice doors and diamond-shaped transoms. Wide and solemn inside, imposing appearance, it is a masterpiece of main-halls of the Middle Ages.

*1 Shumidan

An alter made of fine timber, generally with panelling, rich moldings, steep steps, and high rallings. 'Shumidan' is an alternative of 'Shumisen', which is an imaginary center of Buddhism world. In Shumidan, Buddha statues are installed.

*2 Irimoya-zukuri

A hip-and-gable roof construction. A gable type roof has a ridge and gable pediments on the upper part, and a hipped roof on the four sides on the lower part. This roof style was introduced from China at the sametime as Buddhism in the mid 6c.


Shakasan Hyakusaiji (Shaka-moutain Hyakusai-temple) 

It established approximately 1400 years ago, so it is the oldest among three temples. It was originally for immigrants from southern Korea, an old country named 'Kudara', Packche. Its area was also the biggest, however, in a certain period, it changed its belonging sect, and became a 'Tendai' temple. Dozen of religious buildings and 300 and more monks' accommodation were there. On the contrary, there are only accommodation and a main hall survived. Quite melancholy mood is surrounding there. Inside of the main hall is also deserted, and no guide person.  

The relationship between Hyakusaiji and Nobunaga was really severe. Nobunaga expected this temple to be the alternative of the Hieizan Enryakuji temple. The Hieizan Enryakuji temple had been an enemy of Nobunaga, and it was completely burnt in 1571. Maybe Hyakusaiji was the next biggest, so Nobunaga supported this temple as long as it obeyed. However, they betrayed Nobunaga, so he angered and destroyed this temple in 1573. Why Hyakusaiji betrayed Nobunaga? A little before Nobunaga came, this temple had a great fire and lost many buildings. At that time, Rokkaku clan (ruler of this region) helped generously, and Hyakusaiji felt a debt of gratitude towards this clan. For Hyakusaiji, it was so important that they chose to secretly help their benefactor. This temple became more declined.     

Later, this temple was supported by Toyotomi and Tokugawa administration. Its buildings and surroundings were reconstructed one more time. However, its outstanding position was no more come back.

The garden of the accommodation, 'Kikenin' is a very famous garden. Many old people commented how expressed they were. If we choose one of three gardens, we recommend it too. 

We enter this stroll garden beside the accommodation. At first, the path is narrow and ordinary, and soon the ground is covered by many big river stone. 

Then, a wide pond appears in front of our eye-sight, and it is planned very closer to a veranda of accommodation. We go through stepping-stones and stepping-stone-bridges, then we arrive at the opposite side of the wide pond. Too much attractive it is! We enter a hill beside of the pond, this hill is covered by many stone, well treated shrubberies. 
At a middle point, an observation open space is there. We can get a view of the whole temple area and far plane coastline of the Lake Biwa.

To the main hall, we can take a shortcut from the backyard of the garden. 
However, the distance is a little long. We have to go up a long distance not so much long as Kongorinji. 

Once this temple was sieged by Nobunaga's army (1573), the main hall had been fortified by stone walls, and it was like a mountain castle. Like Hieizan temple had many armed priests, this temple also had many of them. They resisted but defeated. Because of their effort flamed the anger of Nobunaga's army, they invaded severely, and the main hall and other buildings were burnt down completely. 

The main hall we are looking now was reconstructed during the Edo period (1650). 
Several Buddha statues escaped damage, but these historical and cultural value is not so much.

Murouji temple

Restart

Because of a covid-19 epidemic, the government banned to move between prefecture borders. To be more precise, it was't exactly prohibited, but self-restraint was strongly recommended. So, we fell into a difficult situation not to visit historical places. Even though, we ventured to visit several in-prefecture facilities, but the entrances were shut.

In the meantime, at June 19th, an information was announced that the self-restraint was no more necessary. However, the number of newly found patients of covid-19 began to increase at the start of July. Impatient people say the second wave has come.

For us, this timing was an opportunity to take some actions. We visited a temple in the Nara prefecture as a first step. That day was a middle day of a series of heavy rain days, these rain might be caused by the Global warming climate change. It was the visit in drizzling.

The Murouji temple is an old temple located between the Nara prefecture and the Mie prefecture. It was founded in the beginning of the Heian period (around 800 AD). And belonged a Buddhism sects named the Singon sect.

Usually, temples and shrines are considered to be completely different. 
Buddhism and Shintoism, Buddhas and divine spirits, these are supposed to be confronting each other. However, these are not confronting in Japan.

The situation at that time was follows. Buddhism in Japan was a imported religion. So, the people who imported Buddhism chose a way to create a fusion with domestic beliefs, Shinto. We don't have information that old Buddhism in China created same relationship with opposite beliefs or not. However, at least in Japan, when a temple was founded, they selected a place by a spiritual reason theorized by Shinto. 
For example, a place of a Dragon King legend chose as an establish siting of an important temple. Furthermore, the first chosen sects were the sects regarding same kind of belief. Like Shinto, they respected training in deep mountains or mysticism. 

After the establishment of this temple, it was under the protection of the Kofukuji temple, which was the biggest temple in Nara region. And it became relatively decline its potential year by year.

By the way, when the Murouji temple is introduced, the word 'Nyonin-koya' were added very often. Like 'Nyonin-koya Murouji temple'. 'Nyonin-koya' means a catch phrase. In this word, 'koya' means 'Koyasan'. And 'Koyasan' is one of very famous religious divine area. In 'Koyasan' area, many temples were established and this area became the center of  the Singon sect. 

There was one problem, 'Koyasan' avoided coming females to this area. And back to the catch phrase, 'Nyonin' means female. So, 'Nyonin-koya' means the place like 'Koyasan' for female people. Many female believers visited here after the new catch phrase accepted by the world. Then, potential of this temple raised again. This change was happened in the Edo period. After that, this temple recovered and flourished again.

So, this temple had variety situations, such as prosperity, decline and recover. 
However, temples should not be told in the context of power games. Like churches in western world, temples in Japan are also holy place. We should use more appropriate language, but we don't have the ability, so please forgive us.

There are several important historical buildings in the site. Also, many national treasures and important cultural properties it has. It's quite available to introduce this temple from cultural aspect. However, regarding the old time catch phrase, people feel importance in another aspect. Because this temple is the 'Nyonin-koya', female believers sanctuary.

Again, this temple had many competitions for powers. It glistened many times in the long history. 
Although these historical facts were told at the corner of the stage. In other word, such as feminine sensitivity or women's literal context. When books introduce this temple, an author of the beginning essay is absolutely by a woman. One more thing, it's quite unnecessary information but the Murouji temple's pages in every guide book are composed for female tourists.



Visit

When we visited there, we were in the bad mood because of a frustration by covid-19. And the weather was also in the bad mood because of continually repeating rainy days. This trial would be something special for us, and the result would be good.

There were only two female groups, maybe because the day was week day and also rainy day. At the 'Hondo', one of the main buildings, a female monk welcomed tourists chanting a Buddhist sutra. The sound echoed welcoming us. One woman in a female group asked something about a Buddhist statue. The female monk answered delightedly. All stage settings which were sound of rain, chants of a female monk, and silence made us the Murouji temple a perfect place. It's worth announcing itself as 'Nyonin-koya'. 


Official information of 'Murouji Temple'

Located at the foot of Mount Murou, Murouji is the head temple of the Murouji sect of Shingon Buddhism. 
This area had been regarded as a sacred location since ancient times, people worshipped the Dragon God, said to live in a cave on the Mount Murou. In times of drought the Emperor of time would sent messengers to pray to the Dragon for rain.

The temple's official history began in the late seventh century, by Imperial order of the Emperor Tenmu (reign 673-686), En no Gyoujya (Ozunu) established the temple. And in the late eighth century, the Emperor Kanmu (reign 781-806) ordered a high priest Kenkai of Kofukuji to begin to rebuild the temple, but soon he died (793). So that his disciple Syuen took over Kenkei's duties, he built a hall, and a pagoda. 
After that Shintai of Kukai's disciple entered the temple with Shingon Esoteric Buddhism. And in Kamakura period, the main Kanjyodo Hall (1308) and Miedo Hall which enshrines Kukai were built.

Murouji Temple is celebrated as one of places of worship for women. In contrast to Mt. Koya (Wakayama Prefecture) which to prohibited women until Meiji 38 (1905), Murouji allowed women to visit, so it was called 'Nyonin Koya' which means Koya for women. 

When you mention the most important Buddhist statue, 'Shaka-nyorai-ritsuzo' comes in this temple. 'Shaka-nyorai-ritsuzo' means 'The most important image 'Shaka-nyorai' standing statue. This statue is placed in 'Kondo'. 'Kondo' is also historically very important building. So, everybody focus on him and his outer building. 

However, we are quite twisted, so, we choose our own recommendation. Our recommendation is an another Buddhist statue in other building, 'Hondo'. His name is 'Nyoirin-kanonzo' and he has six arms. 

Why does he have six arms? There are plenty of explanations. His arms would be an absolutely interesting point, however, we have another direction. His legs. He is sitting his right leg up. And another leg is sliding under the right leg. And we are interested in the positions of each legs, these soles placed together. This pose has been explained he is considering how to solve entire human beings and so on. If there are Japanese faithful Buddhists, please shut your eyes. There's no doubt this pose is joke!   


Why does he twist his body and unnaturally place his both soles together? Furthermore, why does he have quite unnatural six arms? We doubt you really trust his seriousness. In comparison, 'Shaka-nyorai-ritsuzo' is standing with dignity, and his height is one size larger than us, so he looks very trustful. If we don't believe him, he will maybe teach a lesson. What an unbelieving and ill-mannered descriptions we are! We would describe proper expression. If we can do that, this view point should be treated as a considerable.   

Official information of 'Kondo' Hall (National Treasure)

Situated at the top of Yoroi-zaka (Armor Slope, so named for its resemblance to samurai armor), the Kondo Hall dates to the mid-ninth century, making it on the oldest structures at Murouji Temple. Its design is somewhat unusual in masonry terrace. It is roofed with shingles.

At inner sanctum of the hall there had been unusual arrangement of Buddhist figures: five large, halo-backed statues with twelve smaller figures in front. But at present there are three large statues and six smaller figures. In the center of the back row is the Shakamuni Buddha.

Toward the left is the statue of Monju (means graceful and lovely), the bodhisattva representing the perfection of wisdom. Toward the right is Yakusi Nyorai (means a medical doctor), these date to the Heian period. In the front row stand of six figures of the Twelve Divine Generals, which date to the Kamakura period (1185-1333). Those crafted exquisitely lifelike warriors guard the twelve traditional direction. Each bears a Chinese zodiac animal upon its head. The statues of Eleven-faced Kannon and Jizo and other six Divine Generals are housed in the Treasure Hall March 2020.  


Official information of 'Statue of Shaka Nyorai' (National Treasure)

The Shakyamuni Buddha is the principal object of worship in the Kondo Hall. It was carved from a single piece of Japanese nutmeg (kaya) wood. Both the statue and the halo surrounding it were carved in early Heian period (794-1185). And those show us the case of excellent skill and craftsmanship at that time. The realistic flowing robe painted cinnabar red was executed in a style known as 'Renpa-shiki' or 'Rippling waves'. This particular example is known as 'Murouji drapery'.


Official information of 'Five-Storied Pagoda' (National Treasure)

At just 16.10 meters tall, this pagoda is both the smallest outdoor five-story pagoda in Japan and the second oldest after the pagoda at Horuji Temple. Built in the early ninth century,it is roofed which cypress bark and topped with unusual canopy, as well as a water bottle ornament in the flask shape.

This pagoda, a symbol of the natural and architentural beauty of Murouji Temple, is a memorial to the historical Buddha, Shakyamuni (a saint of Shakya tribe). It is especially stunning when framed by rhododendrona in spring and Japanese maple tree in autumn. In 1998, a tyhoon caused a large tree to fall onto the pagoda, damaging it severely. Donations poured in from across Japan and overseas, not only from Buddhists but people of every faith, and the pagoda was restored over a two-year period.


In the last, we apologize our expression quite falls into disorder. Our final expression is the Murouji temple is worth visiting. We want to visit with further knowledge and pure minds next time.