Jigen-in, Buddhist temple in Takasaki, Japan
Jigen-in is a Buddhist temple in Takasaki featuring traditional wooden structures with detailed carved elements throughout. The grounds include a garden that transforms with the changing seasons, offering different views as the year progresses.
The temple was founded by Hōjō Shigetoki, an influential samurai leader from the Kamakura period. Its establishment reflected the growing role Buddhist temples played in the spiritual and intellectual lives of the samurai class during that era.
The temple serves as a stopping point on two major pilgrimage routes that draw visitors from across the region. It functions as a spiritual gathering place where practitioners continue traditions that have been observed for centuries.
The temple is accessible by bus from Takasaki Station with regular service throughout the day. Operating hours run from early morning through early afternoon, so arriving with enough time to explore is recommended.
The temple preserves manuscripts and documents written by its founder that helped shape samurai philosophy and thought. These writings offer insight into how ideas about ethics and leadership developed during that historical period.
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