Hiraizumi Cultural History Museum

Muryokoin Ruins [World Heritage Site]

Muryoko-in Temple, built by the third generation Hidehira, is modeled after the Phoenix Hall at Uji Byodo-in Temple. Hidehira Temple was adjacent to the Garan Imperial Palace, where he lived. Most of the ruins have been turned into rice paddies, but the ruins of the pond, Nakajima, and temple foundation still remain. According to the results of the excavation survey conducted in 1955, it was a magnificent temple, with the axis of the temple running from east to west passing through the east gate, bridge, middle island, and bridge hall, and beyond which one could see Mt. Kinkeizan. It is known that

Jogyodo

This hall was rebuilt in 1732 by Date Yoshimura, the feudal lord of Sendai. The hall is built in a treasure-shaped structure, with the principal image of Amitabha Tathagata in the center, the four bodhisattvas on both sides, and Matarajin, who is revered as a secret Buddha, in the inner hall. Matara-jin is a god that Jikaku Daishi came to know on the ship returning from China, and is said to be the incarnation of Amida Nyorai. The door to the inner hall is usually tightly closed, but is opened to the public once every 33 years. On the 20th day of the New Year, the festival is dedicated to ancient rituals and the Ennen Dance dance.

Dargakku Bishamon-do Hall

Even before Kiyohira settled in Hiraizumi, several temples had already been built in and around Hiraizumi. One of them is Saikoji Temple. According to the temple law, when Sakanoue Tamuramaro subdued Ezo, he built Bishamon-do Hall in imitation of Kyoto's Kiyomizu-dera Temple in gratitude for the blessings of Bishamonten, and built 108 Tamonten statues following Kurama-dera Temple. It is said that it began when the shrine was dedicated to The circumstances surrounding Ezo and Tamuramaro have become the subject of many stories and folklore, and they also add color to the temple legends of Saikoji Temple. Bishamondo was destroyed by fire twice, and the current one was rebuilt in 1963.