International University of Japan Fukujisan-Ryutakuji 500 year old temple
This is a 500 year old Buddhist Temple... set in a little hill, the temple possesses so many treasures...! The statues, paintings, and scripts are in very high quality... The scenes here in this HD video shows hos teh place looks in Autumn...!
Kankoji (Kanko Temple)
The temple has approximately 600 years history, and once was a dojo for Zen meditation. It is a Rinzai sect temple and has connections with Ueda and Uesugi families. In the height of prosperity it had over 300 branches in five regions, Echigo, Ecchu, Kaga, Noto and Shinano, and 300 training buddhist monks. There is a legend that during the war in 1578, over 600 sacred scrolls were protected in miso tubs.
Fukujusan Ryutakuji Temple ( 龍澤寺 )
Fukujusan Ryutakuji Temple is the one of the beautiful temples in Niigata prefecture which built in 1420 in Muramachi Era.
The principal image is Monju-bosatsu which appears in famous Japanese proverb brains of three people are similar to Monju's wisdom.
Moreover, this temple had close relationship with Uesugi family which governed around this area in the ancient time; it keeps many items which is associated to the history of this family.
Kankoji temple located nearby in Ishiuchi Maruyama, has a 600 year history and once was a dojo for Zen meditation. It was built in 1410.by a priest Kakuo Soden who was a son of Noriaki Uesugi.
The prosperity era came up in 1436, when Kankouji temple can expand over 300 branches in five regions, Echigo, Ecchu, Kaga, Noto and Shinano, and 300 training buddhist monks.
Then, In history, the temple has been ever burnt 3 times between 1512 -- 1586 because of war and confliction of Uesugi family's succession.
There is a legend that during the war in 1578, over 600 sacred scrolls were protected in miso tubs. So that, people believe that those who eat this miso would receive good luck.
Fukoji is a designated cultural asset by the city. It was built approximately 1200 years ago by Shogun Tamuramaro Sakanoue. Ro mon (Ro gate), the gate of Fukoji is built of beech in style with Yomeimon (Yomei gate) of Nikko Temple. Treasures such as Figures of Jyuroku Rakan (The major sixteen enlightened disciples - Arhats) are kept. Hadaka Oshiai Taisai - The Naked Jostling Festival is a must see!
Untouan Temple ( 雲洞庵 )
Untouan temple was built in 1300 years ago in Nara Era. The mother of Fusasaki Fujiwara built a tiny house to save many people while she was alive. After she died, Fusasaki built a temple for female priest there. Since then, the temple is famous for women saving.
700 years later, Untouan temple was opened as a Sotoshu temple by Norizane Uesugi. It is the best oratory in Japan and best temple in Echigo. Along the approach to the gate of temple, many stones on which letter of Hokke Buddhist scriptures are written are buried. Hence, people believed that they can wipe out their sin and get happiness by placing their feet on the soil of Untouan.
Hoonji (Hoon Temple) is an old temple of the Chizan Sect of the Shingon Buddhism, which is said to have been erected by Fujiwara no Maro. The name of the temple originates from his posthumous name. There is a figure of Amida Nyorai kept here which is only displayed to the public once every thirty years.
An old temple of a Shingon Buddhism intellect mountain group said to that Maro Fujiwara erected it for Tenbyo era seven years. A name of a temple comes from a Buddhist name of Maro, too. There are an Amitabha hall, a treasury, the main gate of a Buddhist temple in an outbuilding, and it is informed that south calico Buddha Tetsu Buddhist priest brought the Amitabha image enshrined in an Amitabha hall with south calico Buddha Tetsu Buddhist priest, and only 30 once a year is permitted exposition. A treasure of a treasury is aired in a year of this exposition, too, and visit is forgiven.
Yakushoji (Yakusho Temple)
It is a temple of Shingon Buddhism, and has a large katsura tree within the grounds which is designated as a natural monument by the prefecture. In the treasury, famous paintings, old Chinese mirrors, wooden dolls, and ceramics are on display. The temple is also famous for being the hiding place of Burmese prime minister, Ba Maw in 1945 after the war.
IUJ GSIR Class of 2016
1st Presentation at IUJ (38 Khan OP11)
This was my first presentation in International University of Japan. Date: 22 September, 2014