Saimyō-ji, Buddhist temple in Mashiko, Japan
Saimyō-ji is a Buddhist temple in Mashiko built on a mountainside with traditional Japanese architecture and a main hall for ceremonies and rituals. The grounds also include several smaller structures and landscaped areas typical of temple compounds.
The temple was founded in 737 and underwent major reconstruction in 1492 after being destroyed. Since then, it has maintained its role as an active religious site and ranks among the oldest such structures in eastern Japan.
The temple houses a distinctive statue of Enma, the Buddhist judge of the afterlife, shown with a notably smiling expression. This portrayal stands apart from the stern depictions commonly found in other temples.
The temple sits along the Bandō Sanjūsankasho pilgrimage route and welcomes both religious practitioners and general visitors. The mountainside location requires a walk uphill to reach the main buildings.
The temple grounds contain a rare collection of square-stemmed bamboo, a Chinese species with angular stalks. This unusual plant variety is seldom seen in Japanese temple gardens.
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