Hiraizumi (平泉), Iwate (岩手)
Tohoku, Honshu, Japan
Autumn 2009
Autumn 2009
Hiraizumi in the southwestern part of Iwate Prefecture is a town extending up the Hiraizumi Hill on the west bank of the Kitakami-gawa River, that prospered for almost 100 years from the 11th to 12th centuries as the center of the Tohoku region (the northeastern region). Over 3,000 national treasures and historical sites still remain, telling of the Fujiwara Clan that reigned over the area in the zenith of its prosperity. The splendid culture that appeared during the reign of the Fujiwaras lasted for three generations and has been preserved in the area to this day.
The sun was setting as we arrived here from Sendai...
During the Chūsonji Chrysanthemum Festival, the temple grounds are filled with a wide variety of exquisite chrysanthemum displays set against the brilliant foliage of autumn...
Hiraizumi's largest and most famous temple, renowned particularly for its Golden Hall (金色堂 Konjikidō) — which, unlike Kyoto's Golden Pavilion, is housed inside a large glass case. True to the name, the shrine inside is elaborately decorated with golden lacquer and mother-of-pearl, with three Buddha images. Entry a rather steep ¥800. 5 minutes by bus or 20 on foot from the station...
Devotees offer their thanks for the blessings in their lives...
Devotees offer their thanks for the blessings in their lives...
As we left, we embarked on our own "stairway to heaven" by ascending a misaligned flight of stairs...
