“Why three wells?” you might wonder as you approach the \u897f\u570b\u7b2c\u5341\u56db\u756a \u4e09\u4e95\u5bfa Stele. This monument marks a site steeped in history. It connects to a temple with a rather curious name. That temple is Mii-dera.
Mii-dera stands a short distance from Kyoto and Lake Biwa. It is also known as Nagarasan Onjo-ji. Mii-dera is the head temple of the Jimon sect of Tendai Buddhism. Furthermore, it is temple number 14 on the Saigoku Kannon Pilgrimage.
The name Mii-dera translates to “Temple of Three Wells”. This name comes from a sacred spring. The spring’s water was used for bathing newborn emperors. These emperors include Tenji and Tenmu. Empress Jito is also included.
The temple’s spring is now housed in the Akaiya building. A wooden dragon sculpture guards the spring. Legend says the sculptor hammered spikes into the dragon’s eyes. This prevented it from escaping and terrorizing locals.
Mii-dera has faced destruction and has been rebuilt. Warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi destroyed the main hall in the late 1500s. It was rebuilt in 1599. Mii-dera is home to many treasures. The main hall and Buddha Hall contain sculptures of Buddha.
One of Omi’s most famous temples, Mii-dera overlooks Lake Biwa. It attracts visitors with its beauty and history. The \u897f\u570b\u7b2c\u5341\u56db\u756a \u4e09\u4e95\u5bfa Stele serves as a reminder. It marks this temple’s place on the Saigoku Kannon Pilgrimage.