Historic Monuments and Sites of Hiraizumi

Hiraizumi – Temples, Gardens and Archaeological Sites Representing the Buddhist Pure Land
UNESCO World Heritage Site
LocationHiraizumi, Nishiiwai District, Iwate Prefecture, Japan
CriteriaCultural: (ii), (vi)
Reference1277rev
Inscription2011 (35th Session)
Area176.2 ha (435 acres)
Buffer zone6,008 ha (14,850 acres)
Coordinates39°0′4″N 141°6′28″E / 39.00111°N 141.10778°E / 39.00111; 141.10778
Location of Historic Monuments and Sites of Hiraizumi in Japan

Historic Monuments and Sites of Hiraizumi is the UNESCO World Heritage Site in Hiraizumi in Iwate Prefecture, Japan.[1]

The site covers 5 locations. Four of these places are Buddhist temples. The sacred Mount Kinkeisan is also included in the group The properties and their buffer zones are covered by a range of Japanese government protections as historic sites and places of scenic beauty.[1]

History

Hiraizumi was an important political, military, commercial, and cultural centre from the late-11th century until the late 12th-century. This time was marked by the building and endowment of Buddhist temples, art and gardens.[2]

Pure Land Buddhism developed a concept of planning and garden design that was unique to Japan.[1]

The four Pure Land gardens of Hiraizumi show the ideals of Pure Land Buddhism. The gardens also show Japanese concepts about the relationship between gardens, water and the surrounding landscape.[1]

The four gardens were developed by the Ōshū Fujiwara clan. The poet Matsuo Bashō was inspired by this Fujiwara legacy.[3] In 1689, Bashō wrote: "Three generations of glory vanished in the space of a dream ...."[4]

In 2011, UNESCO listed parts of Hiraizumi as a World Heritage Site.[1]

Locations

Name Image Location Notes
Chūson-ji (中尊寺) Hiraizumi cultural site
Mōtsū-ji (毛越寺) Hiraizumi cultural site
Kanjizaiō-in (観自在王院跡) Hiraizumi cultural site
Muryōkō-in (無量光院跡) Hiraizumi cultural site
Mount Kinkeisan (金鶏山, Kinkeizan) Hiraizumi natural site

References

Other websites

Media related to Hiraizumi, Iwate at Wikimedia Commons