The moss on one side is mysterious! Thorough explanation of the charm of Heisenji Hakusan Shrine with its beautiful moss and cedar trees
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Heisenji Hakusan Shrine, located in Katsuyama City, Fukui Prefecture, is famous for its moss palace and moss temple, and is a scenic spot that ranks alongside Kyoto's Saihoji Temple. The attraction of Heisenji is not only its beautiful scenery, but also the 1,300-year-old historical secret story of ...
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Heisenji Hakusan Shrine is a shrine whose predecessor was Hakusan Heisenji Temple, which was opened about 1,300 years ago as a base for Mt. Hakusan worship. It is called "Fukui's Moss Palace" because of the beautiful moss that spreads over the precincts. I will introduce the charm of such Heisenji Hakusan Shrine.
What is Heisenji Hakusan Shrine?
Heisenji Hakusan Shrine was founded 1300 years ago in 717 by the Echizen monk Taicho.
Before long, Heisenji became a base for monks and mountain monks to worship Mt. Hakusan, and it was a religious city that prospered as the starting point for climbing Mt. Hakusan on the Echizen side.
During the Genpei period, Yoshinaka Kiso prayed for victory in battle, and Minamoto no Yoshitsune and Benkei, who escaped from Kyoto, stopped by here.
It reached its peak about 650 years ago, and it is said that there were 48 shrines, 36 temples, 6,000 monks' residences, and about 8,000 warrior monks lived on the grounds. .
At that time, it was the largest religious city in Japan.
However, in 1574, it was defeated in the battle against Ikko Ikki and was completely burned down, and it is said that the current precincts are the shrine buildings that were rebuilt about 500 years ago.
Access to Heisenji Temple
For public transportation
·weekday
From JR Fukui Station, take the Echizen Railway "Katsuyama Eiheiji Line" (approximately 55 minutes) From Katsuyama Station, the final stop, take the city circulation bus "Gururin" Heisenji Line Bus Get off at Heisenji Hakusan Shrine Mae (13 minutes)
·Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays
Take the Echizen Railway "Katsuyama Eiheiji Line" from JR Fukui Station (about 55 minutes) From Katsuyama Station, the final stop, take the sightseeing bus "Dinagon" in the direction of Heisenji or take a taxi for 10 minutes from Katsuyama Station
Private car
Approximately 15 minutes by car from Katsuyama IC on the Hokuriku Expressway Fukui Kita Junction to the Chubu Jukan Expressway *Parking available
Not a moss temple, but a moss palace?
Heisenji Hakusan Shrine is generally called “Hakusan Heisenji” and known as “Moss Temple”, but “Heisenji” as a temple was closed due to the separation of Shintoism and Buddhism in the Meiji era.
Therefore, "Heisenji" remains the name of the place and becomes Heisenji Hakusan Shrine.
Let's see the museum "Hakusan Heisenji Historical Exploration Museum Mahoroba" first
"Hakusan Heisenji History Museum Mahoroba" is a general information facility for Hakusan Heisenji Temple. Admission is free and open from 9:00 to 17:00.
Explanations of the history of Heisenji Temple and a map of the precincts of the temple during its golden age are on display.
Even if you can't enter the precincts due to bad weather or heavy snow, you can still enjoy the precincts as there are free videos explaining the nature and history of Heisenji.
Heisenji is the origin of Hakusan worship! ?
After Mt. Hakusan was founded in 717, worship of Mt. Hakusan spread rapidly throughout the country.
When worship-ascents of Mt. Hakusan became popular, horse riding grounds were established in Kaga (Ishikawa Prefecture), Echizen (Fukui Prefecture), and Mino (Gifu Prefecture), and Heisenji Temple became the Echizen riding ground. Many people visited and prospered.
Currently, there are more than 3,000 Hakusan shrines all over Japan, and Heisenji Hakusan Shrine is the origin of Hakusan worship.
A mysterious moss carpet! The moss that spreads all over is beautiful
The most attractive feature of Heisenji Hakusan Shrine is the moss that covers the precincts.
The moss spreads out like a carpet, making you want to lie down.
The moss is mainly cypress moss, and more than 220 kinds of moss are growing wild including the surrounding area.
The best time to see such moss is around the rainy season from June to July. It is said that the morning after rain is the most beautiful.
The moss that shines through the cracks of the large cedar trees is so mysterious that it will definitely make you exclaim, "Wow!"
Personally, I recommend early morning when there are few people.
The still dim precincts are filled with rays of light, and you will be able to enjoy the fantastic scenery and silence of the precincts all to yourself.
Just because there's no one there, you can't help but want to take the beautiful moss home, but taking it home is prohibited. Please follow the rules such as not to enter the rope when taking pictures.
Mitarai Pond, where the legend of the goddess of Mt. Hakusan appears
Mitarai Pond, also known as Hiraizumi, is said to be the birthplace of Heisenji Temple.
It is a place of legend that when Taicho visited this place and worshiped, a goddess floating in the pond appeared.
The cedars planted by Yasuzumi at this time still remain today, and are split into three in the middle of the trunk, forming the shape of the three shrines of Mt. Hakusan.
Because of this shape, it is called a three-pronged cedar, and a rope of caution is stretched as a sacred tree at Heisenji Hakusan Shrine.
A 450-year-old giant tree standing in a beautiful grove of cedars, "Wakamiya Shrine's Osugi"
Along with the moss, the cedar trees on the precincts of Heisenji should be noted.
While feeling the strength of the huge cedar trees that line up in an orderly manner, you can also feel a somewhat calm atmosphere.
Among them, the most eye-catching is “Wakamiya Shrine’s large cedar”.
In 1574, Heisenji Temple was defeated by the Ikko Ikki (Ikko Ikki) and was completely destroyed by fire.
The circumference of the trunk is 5m, and the branches extending in all directions are like a thousand-armed Kannon.
You can get close enough to touch it, so please come and visit.
You can walk through the excavated ruins! The largest stone-paved road in the Middle Ages
Many monastery ruins of Hakusan Heisenji Temple were buried under forests and fields after the entire mountain was destroyed by fire. I was.
Excavations have revealed the area in an orderly manner, and the largest remains of a medieval religious city in Japan have been confirmed, giving us a glimpse of the prosperity of the time.
Only about 1% of the total was excavated.
The entire precinct is said to have been 200 hectares, which is said to be larger than the Principality of Monaco, the second smallest in the world.
The stone-paved road stretches for 1 kilometer and is said to have been built by the monks of the time who brought river stones from the Kuzuryu River by hand.
Traces of the separation of Shinto and Buddhism Kubinashi Jizo
About 150 years ago, due to the separation of Shintoism and Buddhism, a movement to abolish Buddhism was actively carried out to destroy everything related to Buddhism.
Hakusan Heisenji Temple at that time was no exception, and the scars of the separation of Buddhism and Shintoism can still be seen at the Nokyo-sho located in the middle of the road connecting the second torii gate and the Sannomiya shrine.
A representative example is the Kubinashi Jizo.
It seems that there was a meaning to cut off the relationship with Buddhism by breaking the neck.
Heisenji was the origin of Tojinbo, a cliff! ?
Tojinbo is one of Fukui Prefecture's leading tourist destinations, and its name comes from the name of a monk named "Tojinbo" who fell from this cliff.
A monk named Tojinbo has a reputation for being an evil monk, and he falls in love with a beautiful girl named Ayahime.
One day, he witnesses Ayahime walking hand in hand with the monk of the same temple, "Magara Kakunen."
Seeing this, Tojinbo threw a stone from the shadows and killed his daughter.
It is said that on April 5th, when Tojinbo got drunk at a party, Magara Kakunen pushed him over a precipice in order to take his revenge.
Tojinbo, who appears in this legend, was one of the priests of Heisenji Temple, and there are traces of Tojinbo actually living in Heisenji Hakusan Shrine.
Among them, there is a legend that the "well of the Tojinbo Yashiki" was dyed with blood because of the grudge of being pushed down.
Let's go see the 1300 years of history and the superb view of the moss
This time, we introduced the charm of Heisenji Hakusan Shrine, including its history. Thank you for reading this far.
Please visit Heisenji Hakusan Shrine and feel the power of nature!
Written by
Fukui
Katsuyama City is located in the northeastern part of Fukui Prefecture. The city is located on a river terrace formed along the flow of the Kuzuryu River, and is surrounded by commerce and industry, with the textile industry as the core industry, which has been a local industry since the Meiji era, as well as rural areas rich in water and greenery, where agriculture and forestry have been active since ancient times. It's a city. In spring, you can enjoy the Benten cherry blossoms in full bloom with the snow-capped mountains in the background, and spectators get excited as the relay teams compete at the Hashiryanko event, which has been designated as an intangible folk cultural property by the city. In the summer, the fireworks of Katsuyama Natsu Monogatari are beautifully displayed in the night sky. The Umaimon Festival is filled with smiling faces as people savor the nostalgic flavors unique to Katsuyama. It has been said that ``the only thing Katsuyama Minoichi doesn't have is horse horns.'' At the 2017 market, you can buy handmade products such as woodwork and folk crafts while enjoying conversation, and the market opens early in the morning. It is crowded with many people. There are also many other traditional events that remain in each district, such as festivals and dances. These have been established as places of people's lives and communication, and as a result of their passion, they have created a unique charm that can only be found in Katsuyama.
The contents on this page may partially contain automatic translation.
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