Motsuji Temple

Motsu-ji Temple is designated as a Special Historic Site and a Special Place of Scenic Beauty by the national government, centering on the Pure Land Garden, one of the most representative gardens in Japan.

The temple was founded by Jikaku Daishi Ennin, and many buildings were constructed during the reigns of Fujiwara lord Motohira and Hidehira.

In the past, the temple had 40 halls and towers and 500 monks’ quarters, and is said to have surpassed Chuson-ji in size and splendor.

However, after the fall of the Oshu Fujiwara clan, all the buildings were destroyed by fire in a disaster.

Today, the Pure Land Garden, with Oizumi as its centerpiece, and the remains of the Heian-period temple complex are almost completely preserved.

The author of the garden is unknown, but it is thought to have been designed by someone familiar with Sakutei-ki, as many of the designs are in the Sakutei-ki style.

The garden is centered around a large pond fountain, and has two central islands, one on the southeast shore of the pond fountain, and three islets on the south side of the pond.

In front of the larger island are the ruins of Kondo, the bell tower, and the drum tower. In the beginning, a waribashi (bridge) was built from the central island to the southern main gate, showing the design of the shinden-zukuri style.

There is a sloping island in the center of the pond, and boulders are laid around the pond and on the island.

The water’s edge reflects the scenery of the seashore and landscape, and in particular, the islet on the southeast shore of the pond is considered one of the most beautiful in the garden.

At the tip of the islet stands a 2-meter-high standing rock, which enhances the broad surface of the water.