Katsutokuji

【Prayer of the Heian Period, the Majesty of National Treasures】 The Pinnacle of Tohoku Buddhist Culture Residing in "Katsugojiji"

Nestled quietly in Yukawa Village, at the center of the Aizu Basin, lies "Katsugojiji." This ancient temple, said to have been founded by the renowned monk Tokuitu during the early Heian period (around 800 AD), symbolizes the dawn of Buddhist culture in the Tohoku region. Once you step inside, you will find the "supreme beauty" that has been preserved for over twelve hundred years quietly breathing.

■ A Soul-Stirring National Treasure: The Triad of Yakushi Nyorai

The main attraction of Katsugojiji is the national treasure, the "Wooden Statue of Yakushi Nyorai Sitting" and the two attendant statues.

• A Masterpiece Carved from One Tree: The figure, carved from a massive zelkova tree, is powerful yet filled with compassion, and is regarded as one of the greatest masterpieces of early Heian sculpture. Its overwhelming volume and almost mystical silence deeply resonate with viewers.
• The Hall of Wooden Sculptures: In addition to the Yakushi Triad, many Buddhist statues designated as important cultural properties are enshrined here, creating a majestic space that can truly be called a "museum of wooden Buddha sculptures."

■ A "Forest of Tranquility" Where Time Seems to Stand Still

The temple grounds, which retain traces of its former glory as a large temple, are enveloped in nature throughout the seasons.

• The Original Landscape of Prayer: Thatched roofs and ancient stone monuments. In the silence where only the sound of swaying trees resonates, you can touch the smile of the Buddha that the former monks once gazed upon.

A space of prayer that connects to the depths of Aizu's history. Would you like to feel the soul's cry embedded in the wood by the artisans of the Heian period and the gentle light of compassion?