Congratulations! Finally, the historic sites in Hiraizumi will soon be placed on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List.
Hiraizumi is a town located in Iwate Prefecture in the northeastern part of Japan, a region known as Tohoku. Since the earthquake on March 11 caused extensive damage to people in Tohoku, the good news will cheer them up.
Hiraizumi’s cultural heritage sites date back to the 12th century when the four generations of the Fujiwara Family ruled the region.
When the first lord Fujiwara Kiyohira united the region after a long period of local conflicts, he aimed at constructing a peaceful world evoking Buddhist paradise, and so he built the renowned Chusonji Temple complex including the famous Golden Hall with a group of golden Buddhist statues.
(Above: The approach to Chusonji)
(Above: The main gate of Chusonji and the main hall at the rear)
(Above: The small hall containing the Golden Hall)
(Above: A Part of the inside of the Golden Hall=from a brochure of Chusonji)
---to be continued--