Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Mimurotoji Temple

Believed to have been built in the 8th century, Mimurotoji is famous as the 10th of the "33 Holy Places of the Western Country," a series of temples dedicated to Kannon which used to be a popular pilgramage route in ancient times. In this temple's main sanctuary are a gilt-bronze statue of the Thousand-Armed Kannon, a statue of Shakyamuni, and a statue of Bishamonten.

This temple is also notable for its Muromachi-period (1333-1568) karesansui waterless rock and sand garden and its kaiyu-style garden ("many-pleasure" style garden for strolling) full of colorful azaleas, rhododendrons and hydrangeas. There is a stone monument in the temple grounds dedicated to the tragic Ukifune, a character in the Uji Chapters of the Tales of Genji, and another inscribed with a poem by Matsu Basho.












Hand prints of famous Sumo Wrestlers who visited the Temple

Prayer Wheel






Mimurotoji Temple from Tales of Genji