Kaijūsen-ji, Buddhist temple in Kizugawa, Japan
Kaijūsen-ji is a Buddhist temple in Kizugawa situated on the slopes of Mount Mikami, commanding views of the Kizugawa River and the ancient Kuni capital site. The grounds include a five-story pagoda and several meditation halls among other structures.
Founded in 735 by Emperor Shomu, the temple was devastated by fire in 1137 but was later restored. Monk Jokei completed major reconstruction work in 1208.
The temple houses two Eleven-Faced Kannon statues from the Heian period, both recognized as Important Cultural Properties. These sculptures reflect the spiritual devotion of their era.
The temple welcomes visitors from 9:00 to 16:30, with admission fees for the main hall and meditation areas. The hillside location means comfortable shoes are helpful for walking between the various structures.
The five-story pagoda completed in 1214 features an unusual wooden structure at its base resembling a skirt. This distinctive design appears in only one other temple building across Japan.
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