Have you ever had an experience where you unexpectedly touched upon the depths of history in 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 pay our respects to our family's guardian deities (Seishi Bodhisattva and Amida Buddha) 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 under the guidance of the chief priest, a dazzling golden statue of Amida Buddha (Aizu Great Buddha), over 2.4 meters tall, majestically sat there.
As I looked up, overwhelmed by its magnificent appearance, I suddenly noticed that the small thousand Buddha statues lined up behind the "funagatakoha" 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 told by the chief priest
"During the Russo-Japanese War and World War I, villagers going off to war took one statue each as a 'charm' hidden in their pockets."
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 merely 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 Bodhisattva" and "Kannon Bodhisattva" surrounding the central Amida Buddha.
Typically, the Bodhisattvas flanking the Amida Triad are often depicted as "standing," but the Bodhisattvas of Ganjouji are in the rare "seiza" (traditional sitting) posture. This is the same form 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 influenced by the capital's sculptors, Unkei and Kaikei.
The dramatic religious story behind the splendid statue: "Karakuno Hounan."
The background of this wonderful statue remaining in this land is related to the intense religious conflicts that occurred during the Kamakura period.
The year is 1227. The teachings of Hōnen, the founder of the Jōdo sect (that anyone can be saved by chanting the nembutsu), spread explosively among the people. However, this led to intense conflict with the old Buddhist forces (such as Hieizan Enryakuji) who were not pleased with this. This is known as the "Karakuno Hōnan."
The Karamono Hōnan and the Beginning of Ganjōji
- Ryūkan, a close disciple of Hōnen, defeated his opponents in debates but was ultimately exiled to Ōshū, where he spent the rest of his life.
- To enshrine the remains of Ryūkan, his disciple Jitsujō established this Ganjōji.
The temple fell into disrepair but was magnificently restored during the Edo period under the protection of Aizu lord Masayuki Hoshina. The impressive mountain gate (built in 1697) and the exquisite carvings seen there are remnants of the region's history and the lord's aspirations.
Embark on an "Academic" journey that satisfies your intellectual curiosity.
How was it? Behind each Buddha statue and temple lies artistic mystery, heartfelt prayers of the people, and historical dramas that could shake the nation.
At "Tabinoito," we offer Academic Style tours that fully utilize the knowledge of our guides for customers who wish to deeply understand the historical background and Buddhist culture.
If you have a desire to "know more about this history" or "view Buddha statues from your own perspective," why not join us on a journey 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 introduce you to the historical background and the depth of Buddhist culture.
We can propose a customized route tailored to your interests.
Feel free to consult us via LINE first.
