Takahata Fudōson Temple II

Oh great, I took so many photos (more than 70) and now I don't know how to organise them! And heck, when I came back and had a close look at the photo of the map I took at Niōmon Gate, I realised that I missed so many spots! I knew I needed a tour guide! Oh great, I may be going back for the second time with Laura, because she, too, would like to pay it another visit since she has now got a cool digital camera.

Alright, let's start off with the greatest attraction - the Gojū no Tō tower erected in the middle of the temple. The accompanying descriptions were taken from the Takahata Fudōson's official website, which unfortunately is completely in Japanese. With the help of Google's translation engine, I managed to figure out a bit about the place. However, the information provided here may not be correct, owing to the oft-uncomprehensible translation offered.

五重塔, Gojū no Tō

満5年の歳月をかけて竣工した五重塔は、塔高39.8m、総高45m、和様、三手先出組、青銅瓦葺、平安初期の様式を模した美しい塔です。

This tower is so magnificent that I took more than five shots of it from different angles.

The tower took five years to construct and it's total height is 45m.

It is so tall that I could barely take a full shot at it.

The harmonious design and the bronze tiles reflect the early style Japanese architecture.

I suppose this design is meant to imitate the design of a castle with a moat surrounding it.

Another view from the opposite side of the tower.

宝輪閣

This is the reception area (受付, uketsuke). It is located on the right side of the main gate.

大香炉

This is where the devotees light their joss sticks.

水舎

This is where the devotees wash up before making their prayers in the temple.

It is located just to the left of the main gate.

不動堂, Fudō Dō

The hall, as could be seen behind the urn, was originally located on the hill.

On 4th August 1335, after a storm in the night, the building collapsed. It was later moved to its current location in 1342.

旗かけの松 (二代目)

源頼義が前九年の役で奥州征討に向かう途中、不動尊に戦勝を祈願し、軍旗を立てかけたと伝えられています。

This is what I could understand from the non-coherent translation given by Google. Once upon a time, their was a battle of some sort and the troop stopped by at the temple to pray for victory.

This is where they erected their flag.

奥殿

千年ぶりの修復を終えた丈六不動三尊像を中心にたくさんの文化財を収蔵・展示する為の御堂で1階が展示室、2階が収蔵庫になっています。

There's an exhibition room on the first floor. I didn't know about it until I checked it out just now on the website! Oh, great!

山門, Sanmon

大日堂正面の四脚門は山門と呼ばれています。扁額「十善ノ花開ク處」は、伊東祐享元帥の筆です。

This is the entrance to Ōhi Dō (大日堂).

大日堂, Ōhi Dō

大日党大日堂は高幡山の総本堂で平安時代の大日如来像及び諸佛を安置する御堂です。江戸時代安永八年の大火で焼失し、長く仮本堂のままでしたが昭和五十七年から五年の歳月をかけて根本改修工事が行われました。新堂は鎌倉時代様式で入母屋造り、本瓦葺･内陣総漆仕上で材は尾州檜が使われています。又大玄関は桃山時代様式です。有名な鳴り龍天井や優れた彫刻群、幽玄な内陣荘厳のほか後藤純男画伯の大作襖絵「桂林山水朝陽夕粧」の鑑賞ができます。

This is the main hall located at the far end of Takahata Fudōson and it enshrines the Buddha.

- End of Second Part -