Buttsuji Temple

Overview

Buttsuji Temple is the head temple of the Rinzai Buttsuji school of Buddhism, located in Mihara City, Hiroshima Prefecture. It is also the 12th temple on the Chugoku Thirty-three Kannon pilgrimage route and the 21st temple on the Sanyo Hana-dera Twenty-four Temples pilgrimage route. Founded in 1397 (Oei 4), it was established by Kobayakawa Haruhira, with Guchu Shuju as the opening abbot. Amidst the turmoil of the Northern and Southern Dynasties period, Haruhira invited Guchu to establish this temple as a clan temple to foster unity within his family. The name Buttsuji is derived from the posthumous title "Buttsu Zenji" of Jikyu Keiryu, Guchu's master, who was also invited to open the temple. Buttsuji Temple is a serene and beautiful temple surrounded by nature, particularly stunning during autumn when the maple leaves turn vibrant colors. It's renowned as one of the preeminent autumn foliage spots in the prefecture. The temple grounds boast numerous attractions, including the Jizo-do hall, designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan, and a garden designed by the renowned landscape architect Shigemori Mirei. The Jizo-do hall, built in 1406 (Oei 13), remains as it was during the temple's founding. It's a single-story, hipped-roof building with a 3-ken span (approximately 5.4 meters) both in its width and depth, housing a seated Jizo Bosatsu statue. The garden designed by Shigemori Mirei masterfully incorporates the Buttsuji River as a borrowed landscape, skillfully blending karesansui (dry landscape) elements with natural rocks. The Kaisan-do hall enshrines Guchu Shuju, the founder of the Buttsuji school. Inside are wooden statues of Buttsu Zenji and Daito Zenji, along with a stone pagoda containing precious scriptures. The Tahoto pagoda, built in the early Showa period, is a modern pagoda distinguished by its elegant form, achieved through the use of slightly curved materials around the eaves. Buttsuji Temple is a highly recommended sightseeing spot, offering a chance to experience both history, culture, and the beauty of nature.