Tucked away in Takehara, the Shorenji Temple beckons. Shorenji Temple wasn’t always Shorenji. It began as Jorinji, a Zen temple. The current main hall, built in 1737, reflects the Jodo Shinshu style. This is the most popular form of Buddhism in Japan today. Look up at the roof. You’ll see large, fierce onigawara, demon-shaped tiles. They stand guard, warding off evil. The main gate boasts an impressive dragon relief. Shorenji Temple holds a treasure from afar. A koma no kane, a Korean bell, resides within. Cast on the Korean Peninsula during the Koryo period, this bell dates back to 963. It’s one of the oldest Korean bells in Japan, a designated National Important Cultural Property. Shorenji Temple was a hub for intellectuals. Local scholars and academics gathered here for generations. Among them were the Rai brothers, Shunsui and Shunpu. Their family graves are here, within the temple grounds. Shorenji also boasts the serene Shogien Garden. Inside, you’ll find a collection of important artworks. These treasures add to the rich tapestry of Shorenji’s history.
Центральный дом работников искусств
Step through the grand wooden doors of the Central House of the Workers of Art, and you’ll be transported to