Seisui-ji, Buddhist temple in Sado, Japan
Seisui-ji is a Buddhist temple situated on a slope overlooking rice paddies, featuring traditional Japanese architectural design and a pathway lined with cedar trees. The Guze-den Hall serves as the main hall of the complex, displaying characteristic wooden construction and roof elements typical of Japanese temple design.
The temple was commissioned in 808 by Emperor Kammu to provide Sado residents with a place of worship without requiring travel to distant temples in Kyoto. Its current structures date from the 18th century and were built as part of a reconstruction cycle.
The temple houses several registered cultural properties, including the Niomon Gate and a bell tower adorned with intricate carvings. Visitors walking through the grounds can observe these historical elements and appreciate the craftsmanship displayed in their details.
The temple can be visited free of charge and is accessible during daylight hours without special permits. Visitors should wear appropriate footwear, as the path leading to the complex involves walking uphill and may be slippery during wet weather.
The buildings are completely reconstructed every 200 years as part of a deliberate cycle that maintains their traditional form over centuries. This approach means the structures visitors see today represent layers of continuity and renewal rather than original medieval construction.
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