Motsuji Temple — Attraction in Hiraizumi

江戸時代の芭蕉が更にはるか昔の平安時代の侍に思いをはせて俳句を詠んだお寺です。ロマンがありますねぇ。 Motsuji Temple was originally constructed in the Heian era (794-1192), and it is said that the temple used to flourish and have 40 halls and 500 monks' dormitories. Also, this temple has an 850-year-old Jodo garden, which took in outstanding gardening technique and style at that time. Jodo means the world of Budda. So this garden was created to represent Pure Land or Heaven. Please walk around the heavenly garden thinking about the ancient people who made this and wanted to go to heaven after death. The main hall's principal image is a statue of Yakushi, Buddha of medicine, stayed with the bodhisattvas of solar and lunar radiance. Basho Matsuo, the most famous poet of the Edo period, also came here and created a haiku (the Japanese poetic form.) in the 1690s. It is translated in English here. " The summer grass 'Tis all that's left of ancient warriors' dreams." This is, "now only summer glasses are seen, but long time ago, the samurais were fought in this battlefield for their success and dreams." It is impressive that an old time poet created a poem for older time...

A very beautiful and scenic Buddhist temple that is designated as an UNESCO cultural/heritage site. There is a also a very large garden with a footpath that accompanies the temple and its buildings, which are placed around a scenic lake. The walk around the lake offers very different views depending on where you are on the path. You can see sites of where temples used to stand (some were burnt down in wars, etc.) as well as the ones that still remain to this day. During the walk around the lake on the footpath, there is a large bell in a belfry, a gentle stream that empties into the lake, as well as a set of strategically-placed rocks and stones made to resemble a landscape. Most definitely worth the entrance fee. Very highly...

The heart of the Japanese Bakufu creation story, and where the Kamakura shogunate all was made possible. A short distance away you can see the Northern most Buddha's face carved into the side of a mountain, and also visit the final location for Minamoto no Yoshitsune's last stand with his faithful partner Benkei at a mountain lair overlooking the Koromogawa river valley. This place is dripping with tragic history, blood and betrayal. At Motsuji you can read Nitobe Inazo's translation of Basho's ode to Kurou Yoshitsune:

The Summer grass 'Tis all that is left Of warriors dreams

I highly recommend the audio pen rental for 500 yen which is very easy to use, and is chalk full of...