興聖寺, Buddhist temple in Takashima, Japan.
Kōshō-ji is a Buddhist temple with traditional wooden buildings and landscaped gardens situated on a hillside overlooking the Adogawa River. The grounds contain multiple structures and spaces arranged to guide visitors through different areas of the temple complex.
Founded in 1243 following the guidance of Zen Master Dōgen, the temple later moved to its present location after a significant fire during the Edo period. This relocation reshaped the physical layout and layout of the sanctuary.
The temple holds a seated Buddha statue carved from cypress wood using traditional joinery techniques from the Heian period. This sculpture represents the skill of craftspeople who worked without nails or glue to create such detailed wooden figures.
The temple is reached by bus from the surrounding area, with the main entrance providing easy access to the grounds. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended since the site includes slopes and staircases throughout the terrain.
The grounds include a garden designated in 1935 as a National Place of Scenic Beauty by official recognition. A stone bridge within this garden was constructed from petrified camphor wood, an unusual material choice that has survived for many decades.
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