Shiramizu Amida-do: Fukushima’s national treasure and its beautiful Pure Land garden│Fukushima

2023年10月11日2023年12月2日

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Shiramizu Amida-do, located in Hirohata, Hakusui-cho, Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture, is a temple that shines as a national treasure.

In this article, we will explore the history and charm of Hakusui Amida-do and trace its glorious history from its construction to the present day.

Overview and characteristics of Hakusui Amida-do

History of Hakusui Amida-do

Hakusui Amida-do was built in 1160 at the end of the Heian period by Tokuhime, the wife of Norimichi Iwaki.

Tokuhime built a temple for her husband, Norimichi, to mourn the bodhi of her husband, and built Amida-do as part of it. Amida-do was later designated as an imperial temple by the retired Emperor Gotoba, and during the Edo period it prospered with support from the shogunate.

Because of its historical value, it was designated as a special protected building in 1908, and in 1952 it was designated as a national treasure under the Cultural Properties Protection Act.

Hakusui Amida-do is a building built in the late Heian period, and its style is particularly valuable. The interior of the hall is a single-story treasure-shaped structure with three ken (four pillars on both the front and sides, and three ken between the pillars), and the roof is a traditional roof called Tochibuki. covered with material.

Inside the hall, the ceiling of the inner sanctum, the nagaoshi, and the wall behind the main image were decorated with beautiful paintings, but only a few traces remain today.

However, its beauty can still be seen at a glance.

Beautiful garden and autumn leaves

The architecture and gardens of Hakusui Amida-do are loved by many people for their beauty and historical value.

It is also known as a famous spot for autumn leaves and attracts many visitors.

What is a Jodo style garden?
It is a type of Japanese garden that was built from the Heian period to the Kamakura period.
Pure Land style gardens are deeply influenced by Buddhist Pure Land thought and are an attempt to recreate the world of the Pure Land.

These gardens are characterized by a pond that spreads around the main hall and Buddhist hall, creating a beautiful landscape in front of the temple buildings, creating a beautiful garden that harmonizes Buddhist beliefs with the natural landscape of Japan.

Information about Hakusui Amida-do

Basic Info	Hakusui Amida-do ■Location 　221 Hirohata, Gohakusui-cho, Iwaki City, 　Fukushima Prefecture ■Business hours (visiting) 　April-October 8:30-16:00 　November-March 8:30-15:30 ■Telephone number 　0246-26-7008 ■Parking lot 　Parking available ■Website 　shiramizu-amidado.org
Closed days for temple visits (Closed)	・4th Wednesday from January to November (4th Wednesday) ・February 3rd (Setsubun party), 　Vernal Equinox/Autumn Equinox Day (Higankai), August 12th to 16th (Uranbonkai) August 24th (Mantokai), December 20th to 31st (temple duties, Genchokai preparations, etc.) You cannot visit the hall from January 1st to 3rd, August 5th and 6th, and December 13th (visiting in front of the hall is possible) Due to fire drills on the Sunday immediately before January 26th (Cultural Properties Fire Prevention Day), viewing is only allowed in the afternoon. If the 26th is a Sunday, a fire drill will be held on that day. *In addition, the temple may be temporarily closed due to religious events in the mountains, typhoons (heavy winds/heavy rain), snowfall, etc.
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