Motsuji Temple

Motusji Temple is a temple belonging to the Tendai sect of Buddhism in Hiraizumi. This was once a large and important temple when the city of Hiraizumi prospered as a cultural and political center in northern Japan. The gardens are said to have been made in 850 by Jigakudaishi Enin, the third head of the temple. The beautiful gardens of Motsuji Temple still remain as they did throughout the rise and fall of the Fujiwara clan. The expansive garden reflects the popular garden style of the times which tried to recreate the concept of a buddhist paradise, or pure land. There is a large pond in the middle of the garden which is the centerpiece of the design. In 2011, it was registered as a World Heritage Site as one of the representative archeological sites of the Hiraizumi area. In January of every year there is a event called the Ennen no Mai, Noh drama plays that have been passed down for more that 800 years. These Noh plays were designated as Important Folk Cultural Properties in 1977. The temple is one of four on the popular temple course called the Shihikairo.