Zensui-ji explained

Zensui-ji
Native Name:善水寺
Map Type:Japan Shiga Prefecture#Japan
Map Alt:Location in Japan
Relief:1
Location:3518 Iwane, Konan-shi, Shiga-ken 520-3252
Religious Affiliation:Buddhist
Rite:Tendai
Deity:Yakushi Nyōrai
Country: Japan
Year Completed:c.708-715

thumb|right|280px|Zensuiji Garden is a Buddhist temple in the Iwane neighborhood of the city of Konan, Shiga Prefecture, Japan. It belongs to the Tendai school of Japanese Buddhism. Its main image is a hibutsu statue of Yakushi Nyōrai, which was carved in 993. Its Hondō is a National Treasure.[1]

History

The history of Zensui-ji is uncertain, as the documentary evidence of its foundation has been lost. The temple's legend states that it was founded by Empress Genmei during the Wado era (708-715), and that the tempe was originally called "Wado-ji". During the early Heian period, Saichō came to the temple to pray for rain, and converted it to the Tendai sect. Later, when Emperor Kanmu fell ill, Saichō sent water from a spring at this temple, and the emperor made a miraculous recovery. The emperor bestowed the name of "Zensui-ji" on the temple in commemoration of this event. At its peak, the temple grew to have 26 subsidiary temples, which occupied both mountains adjacent to the main temple.

The temple is 3.9 kilometers, or approximately a one-hour walk, from Mikumo Station on the JR West Kusatsu Line.

Cultural Properties

The Main Hall (Hondō) of Zensui-ji was built in the Nanboku-chō period and was completed in either 1364 or 1366. It is in the irimoya-zukuri-style and is a seven by five bay building with a hinoki cypress bark shingled roof. The building was designated a National Treasure in 1954.[1]

The temple also has many statues which are National Important Cultural Properties:[2]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 善水寺本堂. Japanese . . August 20, 2020.
  2. https://www.pref.shiga.lg.jp/ippan/bunakasports/bunkazaihogo/315856.html Shiga Prefecture List of Cultural Properties
  3. Web site: 木造薬師如来坐像. Japanese . . August 20, 2020.
  4. Web site: 木造〈梵天/帝釈天〉立像. Japanese . . August 20, 2020.
  5. Web site: 木造兜跋毘沙門天立像. Japanese . . August 20, 2020.
  6. Web site: 木造持国天立像. Japanese . . August 20, 2020.
  7. Web site: 木造増長天立像. Japanese . . August 20, 2020.
  8. Web site: 木造四天王立像. Japanese . . August 20, 2020.
  9. Web site: 木造不動明王坐. Japanese . . August 20, 2020.
  10. Web site: 木造僧形文殊坐像. Japanese . . August 20, 2020.
  11. Web site: 木造金剛二力士立像. Japanese . . August 20, 2020.
  12. Web site: 金銅誕生釈迦仏立像. Japanese . . August 20, 2020.