Senju-in, Buddhist temple in Matsue, Japan
Senju-in is a Buddhist temple in Matsue built on elevated ground with traditional wooden structures and a main hall. The hall houses multiple Buddhist statues and religious objects, including two ancient bronze Kannon figures from around the 7th century that hold official status as Important Cultural Properties of Japan.
The temple was founded in the late 6th century according to local tradition, linked to a reported healing through prayer. This origin story connected the site from its beginning to Buddhist healing ideals and established its role as a place of spiritual importance.
The temple serves as a place of worship where visitors can observe how the bronze Kannon statues have shaped local devotion over centuries. The site remains actively used by believers today, blending ancient religious tradition with contemporary spiritual practice.
The grounds are open to visitors and located about 25 minutes by car from Unshu-Hirata Station on the Ichibata Electric Railway. Comfortable walking shoes are advisable since the temple sits on elevated terrain that requires a short walk to reach.
The temple houses a rare combination of two different principal deities within a single site, which is uncommon in Japanese temple traditions. This dual arrangement allows visitors to encounter two distinct Buddhist forms of worship in one location.
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