Hoon-ji temple

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Gazing upon Hoon-ji Temple, can you sense the echoes of centuries past? Hoon-ji Temple, nestled in Morioka, Iwate Prefecture, whispers tales of the Nanbu clan and their unwavering devotion. Hoon-ji was first established in 1394 by the 13th chieftain of the Nanbu clan, Moriyuki, in Sannohe. This was their ancestral seat of power. Later, in 1601, the Tokugawa shogunate directed the Nanbu clan to relocate south to Morioka Castle. The 27th chieftain, and the first daimyō of Morioka Domain, Nanbu Toshinao, dutifully moved Hoon-ji Temple along with them. During the Edo period, Hoon-ji flourished as a seminary. It served as the head temple for an extensive network of 280 temples spread across the Nanbu domains. The temple grounds witnessed a tragic event in 1869. As the Ōuetsu Reppan Dōmei crumbled during the Boshin War, the karō of Morioka Domain, Narayama Sado, chose to end his life through seppuku within the Hondō of Hoon-ji Temple. A particularly remarkable feature of Hoon-ji is the Rakan-dō, initially constructed in 1735 and later rebuilt in 1858. Its central statue, Rushana butsu, is believed to be the work of Kōbō-daishi. The Rakan-dō also houses the captivating 500 Rakan statues. These statues were meticulously crafted in Kyoto and then transported to Morioka. Among these figures, you’ll find representations of historical figures like Kublai Khan and Marco Polo, adding a touch of worldly intrigue to this sacred space. Hoon-ji Temple stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of the Nanbu clan and their legacy.

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