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| The temple's main gate, most recently rebuilt in 2008, is about 15 meters tall, and features wooden carvings of the twelve signs of the [[zodiac]] on its ''[[kaerumata]]'' (decorative roof beams). The gate also serves as a storehouse for eight Buddha statues. | | The temple's main gate, most recently rebuilt in 2008, is about 15 meters tall, and features wooden carvings of the twelve signs of the [[zodiac]] on its ''[[kaerumata]]'' (decorative roof beams). The gate also serves as a storehouse for eight Buddha statues. |
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| + | The Niô-mon ("Two Kings Gate"), also known as Shitenmon ("Four Gods Gate") for the four sculptures installed there, dates to [[1830]]. An [[Important Cultural Property]], the gate is constructed in the ''[[irimoya]]'' style, with copper roof shingles, and a ''[[chidori-hafu]]'' gable in the front, and ''noki-kara-hafu'' on the rear side. In addition to the [[Nio|Niô]] (aka Kongô Rikishi), the eight-pillared gate houses sculptures of [[Tamonten]] and [[Komukuten|Kômokuten]]. |
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| + | A series of grottoes cut into the rock wall behind the main hall house small bronze statues of the eight disciples and 36 disciples of Fudô Myôô. These are accompanied by stone slabs inscribed with the names of individuals and organizations which have made sizable donations to the temple. |
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| A small shrine to [[Benzaiten]] (Benten), dating to the [[Genroku period]], is considered the oldest structure on the grounds. | | A small shrine to [[Benzaiten]] (Benten), dating to the [[Genroku period]], is considered the oldest structure on the grounds. |
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− | The Kômyô-dô, originally the main hall of the temple, is now a secondary hall, located off in one corner of the grounds. Originally built in [[1701]], it was significantly repaired in [[1768]], then moved in the 1850s behind the Shaka-dô, which at that time became the main hall; when the current main hall was constructed in 1964, the Kômyô-dô was moved again, to its current location. A good example of mid-[[Edo period]] architecture, the ''[[irimoya]]''-roofed building remains largely in its original form, albeit with the outer veranda and flooring of its outer hall removed; the hall, today designated an [[Important Cultural Property]], houses an image of [[Dainichi Nyorai]]. | + | Another shrine on the grounds, originally dedicated to Shusse [[Inari]], is now known as Dakiniten-dô, as it houses a sculpture of [[Dakiniten]] gifted to the temple by [[Inaba Masatomo|Inaba ''Tango-no-kami'' Masatomo]]<!--稲葉正知-->, lord of [[Sakura castle]], in the early 1700s. |
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| + | The Kômyô-dô, originally the main hall of the temple, is now a secondary hall, located off in one corner of the grounds. Originally built in [[1701]], it was significantly repaired in [[1768]], then moved in the 1850s behind the Shaka-dô, which at that time became the main hall; when the current main hall was constructed in 1964, the Kômyô-dô was moved again, to its current location. A good example of mid-[[Edo period]] architecture, the ''[[irimoya]]''-roofed building remains largely in its original form, albeit with the outer veranda and flooring of its outer hall removed; the hall, today designated an Important Cultural Property, houses an image of [[Dainichi Nyorai]]. |
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| An expanse of sacred woodland extending to the east of the temple's main ''garan'' is organized around a hall known as Senshindô, where monks can engage in ascetic practices and training. The area is also home to two waterfalls, known simply as the "male flying" and "female" waterfalls, and to a Waterfall Fudô (''otaki fudô son'') enshrined at the top of the falls. | | An expanse of sacred woodland extending to the east of the temple's main ''garan'' is organized around a hall known as Senshindô, where monks can engage in ascetic practices and training. The area is also home to two waterfalls, known simply as the "male flying" and "female" waterfalls, and to a Waterfall Fudô (''otaki fudô son'') enshrined at the top of the falls. |