Have you ever had an experience where you touched upon unexpected depths of history at a place you visited on a whim, moving your heart?
For me, the encounter with "Ganjouji" in Kitakata City was exactly that. One New Year, with a somewhat casual feeling of "because we can visit our family's guardian deities (Seishi Bosatsu and Amida Nyorai) all at once," my family and I set out on a drive to Aizu under the wide blue sky. However, what awaited us there was the "weight of history" and the "memories of people's prayers" that far exceeded our imagination.
This time, I will introduce just a little of the profound Buddhist culture that breathes in Aizu and Kitakata, which is not just about visiting sightseeing spots.
The broken halo quietly speaks of the memories of the villagers.
As I stepped into the hall guided by the chief priest, there stood the dazzling golden statue of Amida Nyorai (Aizu Great Buddha), towering over 2.4 meters tall.
While I was overwhelmed by its magnificent appearance and looking up, I suddenly noticed that the small thousand statues lined up behind the Buddha, known as "Funagata Kouhai," were missing pieces here and there. "Why are they broken?" What do you think?
When I asked out of curiosity, the chief priest quietly taught me this.
The reason for the broken halo as explained by the chief priest
"During the Russo-Japanese War and World War I, villagers going to war took one statue each as a 'charm' and went to the battlefield."
For every Buddha that did not return, there is a life that could not come back. When I learned this fact, my perspective shifted from just seeing it as a "beautiful statue" to recognizing it as a "history of living people." If you were to stand before this halo, what thoughts would you have?
[Artistic Perspective] A rare "seiza" Bodhisattva in the Tohoku region.
Even more interesting is the appearance of the "Seishi Bosatsu" and "Kannon Bosatsu" surrounding the central Amida Nyorai.
Usually, the Bodhisattvas flanking the Amida Triad are often depicted as "standing," but the Bodhisattvas at Ganjouji are in the rare "seiza" (traditional sitting) position. This is the same format as the national treasure of the Raigo Triad at Sanzenin in Ohara, Kyoto, and is extremely rare in the Tohoku region.
Why was the cutting-edge Buddhist art of the capital brought to the distant land of Michinoku? Its majestic presence suggests that it may have been created by the capital's sculptors who were influenced by Unkei and Kaikei.
The dramatic religious story behind the splendid statue: "The Karo Law Difficulty."
The background of why this wonderful statue remains in this place is related to the intense religious conflicts that occurred during the Kamakura period.
The year is 1227. The teachings of the founder of the Jodo sect, Honen, (that anyone can be saved by chanting the Nembutsu) spread explosively among the people. However, fierce conflicts arose with the old Buddhist forces (such as the Enryaku-ji temple on Mount Hiei) who were not pleased with this. This is known as the "Karakuno Hōnan."
The Kōrakuno Hōnan and the Beginning of Ganjō-ji
- Ryuukan, a high disciple of Honen, defeated his opponent in a debate but was ultimately exiled to Oshu, where he spent the rest of his life.
- To enshrine the remains of Ryuukan, his disciple Jitsujō established what is the beginning of Ganjō-ji.
Afterward, the temple fell into disrepair, but during the Edo period, it was magnificently restored under the protection of the Aizu feudal lord, Masayuki Hoshina. The imposing mountain gate (established in 1697) that we see today, along with the splendid carvings found there, are remnants of the region's history and the feudal lord's aspirations.
Embark on an "Academic" journey that satisfies your intellectual curiosity.
How was it? Behind each statue and temple lies artistic mysteries, heartfelt prayers of the people, and historical dramas that could shake the nation.
At "Tabinoito," we offer Academic Style tours that fully utilize the guide's knowledge for customers who wish to deeply understand the historical background and Buddhist culture.
"I want to know more about this history" or "I want to appreciate the statues from my own perspective"—if you have such intellectual curiosity, why not embark on a journey with us to unravel the history of Aizu? We will provide a quality experience tailored to the themes you are most interested in.
Embark on an academic journey that unravels the depths of history.
Our dedicated guides will carefully guide you through the historical background and the profundity of Buddhist culture.
We can propose a customized route tailored to your interests.
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