Takkoku no iwaya, Iwate

Do you think of Chusonji or Motsuji when you hear “Hiraizumi”? In fact, most people walk around and go home. But if you visit Hiraizumi, there are hidden sights that you want to visit. That is “Bettou Takkoku Saikoji Temple”. Some of you may have heard the name “Takkoku no iwaya Bishamondo”.
Upon arrival, there will be a reception desk and you will pay 300 yen to enter. Although it is a temple of Tendai sect, a torii gate stands on the approach, and a vermilion building will remind you of a shrine.
“Takkoku no iwaya Bishamondo” is a palace built in 801 by SAKANOUE Tamuramaro, who was “Seii taishogun” (literally, “great general who subdues the barbarians”) in Hiraizumi-cho, Nishi-Iwai-gun, Iwate Prefecture. Kengaizukuri-Style imitating Kiyomizu-dera Temple in Kyoto, Iwayado Hall boasts the largest scale in Japan.
The amulet “Goouhouin” that you can get in such “Takkoku no iwaya Bishamondo” is famous as “the strongest bill”, and if you put it, it is said that it will “dismiss demons and invite happiness”.
It is located along the prefectural road in Hiraizumi where the idyllic rural scenery spreads out, and it is in a place where you may accidentally overlook it when you drive, but the parking lot and bus stop opposite you are the landmark.
The worship course has been decided, and as soon as you pass the reception and walk through the approaching road with trees on both sides, you will see a building reminiscent of Kiyomizu Temple. This is Bishamon-do, but its splendor stops unintentionally. As you climb the stairs and enter the hall surrounded by the smell of incense, there are numerous statues of Bishamonten and Buddhas in order.
This alone is worth seeing, but when you exit Bishamon-do, the next one will appear is Ganmen Daibutsu (carvings of Buddha’s Face), which is said to have been carved by MINAMOTO no Yoshiie. In addition, the precincts of the Bentendo Hall and Aterui-derived halls are not very large, but there are many things that will appeal to travelers.
Some people say that Takkoku no iwaya is more spectacular than Chusonji Temple, a world heritage site. This is one of the spots you should definitely visit when you come to Hiraizumi.

Victory is thanks to Bishamonten

The grotto where “Takkoku no Iwaya Bishamondo Temple” is built is said to be the place where Emishi (northerners) such as Akuro-O had been holding a fort that once was repeating rough behavior in this place. In 801, Commander SAKANOUE no Tamuramaro, who has ordered by Emperor Kanmu, went to this place as the Generalissimo for the Subjugation of Barbarians (Seii Taishogun) and broke Emishi at the end of the fierce battle. SAKANOUE no Tamuramaro was the man who built the Kiyomizudera Temple in Kyoto. SAKANOUE no Tamuramaro who felt “Victory is thanks to Bishamonten (Vaisravana)” built monastery that imitated ‘Kiyomizu no Butai’ (the stage of Kiyomizu) in this grotto. And he dedicated 108 Bishamonten statues and made it prayer place to quell the country.

Founded approximately 1200 years ago

The Bishamondo Temple of Takkoku no Iwaya whichi located in Hiraizumi, Iwate, is a historical and well-known temple founded approximately 1200 years ago. The Bishamondo where it was built to stick to the surface of rock is characteristic.
Reproduction, economic fortune, cut connections, etc. It is a sacred place for a person wishing to change the status quo.

Imitating the Kiyomizu Temple

Takkoku-no-iwaya has been built imitating the Kiyomizudera Temple by Sakanoue Tamuramaro in year 801 of the Christian era.

Stop without thinking

It is located on the prefectural road along of Hiraizumi where the idyllic countryside is spread.
The building reminiscent of Kiyomizudera Temple will immediately appears when you go through the front approach. This is the Bishamondo, you would stopped without thinking.

The current temple is fifth generation

This Bishamondo Temple of Takkoku no Iwaya has worshiped Bishamonten (God of Success) of 108 at first, but it suffered from a fire repeatedly, the Bishamonten at the time does not stay unfortunately. The current temple was rebuilt in 1961 in the fifth generation. There are 30 of the Bishamonten of various times in the temple now.

The Ganmen daibutsu carved by Minamoto no Yoshiie

The Ganmen daibutsu on rock surface that was carved by Minamoto no Yoshiie appeared upon exiting the Bishamondo. The precincts is not very large, but there are a lot of things to hit travelers in mind like the Bentendo and the temple derived from Aterui.
Some people said “there is a spectacular than Chusonji of world heritage”. When you came to tourism Hiraizumi, it is one of the spots that you should visit.

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