JAPAN PICS
Rikuzentakata City, Iwate
岩手県陸前高田市
Table of Contents

  Ichi-jingu (市神宮)
  Jazz Cafe Johnny (ジャズ喫茶ジョニー)
  Takata-Matsubara (高田松原)
  Kon-no Chokubai Center (こんの直売センター)
  Michi-no-eki and Bussan-kan (道の駅と物産館)
  Osabe Fishing Port (長部漁港)
  Birthplace of Shusaku Chiba (千葉周作生誕地)
  Kaigan-san Fumon-ji Temple (海岸山 普門寺)
  Hobi-zan Choen-ji Temple (宝尾山 長圓寺)
JAPAN PICS GENERAL INDEX
Hokkaido District
  
Do-o (Hokkaido Central)
  
   Naganuma Town (The Tsuchinotomi Society Tour)
2006
   Otaru City (The Tsuchinotomi Society Tour)
2006
   Sapporo City (The Tsuchinotomi Society Tour)
2006
   Sapporo City ("Nihon-no-Matsuri" 2006)
2006
Iwate of the Tohoku District
  
   Esashi, Oshu City
2004-2011
   Hachimantai City
2006
   Hanamaki City
2005-2007
   Hiraizumi Town
2003-2007
   Ichinoseki City
2004-2010
   Iwaizumi Town
2005
   Kitakami City
2005
   Miyako City
2009-2011
   Mizusawa, Oshu City
2004-2012
   Morioka City
2004-2012
   Ninohe City
2007
   Rikuzentakata City
2008-2011
   Shizukuishi Town
2007
   Tono City
2003
Other Tohoku Regions
  
Aomori
  
   Hachinohe City (The Tsuchinotomi Society Tour)
2006
Miyagi
  
   Matsushima Town
2006
   Tome City
2005
Yamagata
  
   Yamadera, Yamagata City
2005
Kanto District
  
Ibaraki
  
   Joso City
2007
   Kashima City
2006
   Mito City
2008
   Shimotsuma City
2007
Kanagawa
  
   Kamakura City
2005-2007
Tochigi
  
   Nikko City
2002-2007
   Utsunomiya City
2007
Tokyo
  
   Tokyo Central
2002-2012
Yamanashi
  
   Kofu City
2007
Chubu District
  
Aichi
  
   Nagoya City
2008
   Toyokawa City
2009
Fukui
  
   Eiheiji Town
2009
   Fukui City
2009-2011
   Obama City
2009
   Tsuruga City
2009-2011
Gifu
  
   Gujo-Hachiman
2009
   Sekigahara Town
2008
Ishikawa
  
   Kanazawa City
2008
Nagano
  
   Nagano City
2007
   Matsumoto City
2007
Shizuoka
  
   Fuji City
2009-2010
Kansai (Kinki) District
  
Hyogo
  
   Ako City
2008
   Himeji City
2008
   Kobe City
2008-2012
   Nishinomiya City
2012
   Tamba City
2010
Kyoto
  
   Kyoto City Central
2005-2012
   Kyoto City East
2005-2012
   Kyoto City North
2005-2011
   Kyoto City South
2006-2012
   Kyoto City West
2005-2012
   Ayabe City
2010
   Maizuru City
2010
   Miyazu City
2012
   Uji City
2006
   Yahata City
2006
Mie
  
   Iga City
2011
   Ise City
2009
Nara
  
   Asuka Area
2006
   Ikaruga Town
2005
   Nara City Central
2006-2010
   Nishinokyo, Nara City
2005-2010
   Sakurai City
2011
   Tenri City
2011-2012
   Yoshino Town
2010
Osaka
  
   Hirakata City
2005-2012
   Osaka City Central
2007-2011
   Sakai City
2010
Shiga
  
   Azuchi-cho, Omihachiman City
2008-2010
   Hikone City
2008
   Koka City
2011
   Nagahama City
2008-2011
   Otsu City
2006-2009
Wakayama
  
   Koya Town
2009
   Wakayama City
2011
Chugoku District
  
Hiroshima
  
   Hiroshima City
2002-2012
   Miyajima, Hatsukaichi City
2002-2012
   Onomichi City
2002
Okayama
  
   Kurashiki City
2008
   Okayama City
2008
Shimane
  
   Izumo City
2011
   Oda City
2012
   Tsuwano Town
2012
Yamaguchi
  
   Hagi City
2012
   Iwakuni City
2012
   Shimonoseki City
2010-2012
   Yamaguchi City
2010-2012
Shikoku District
  
Ehime
  
   Matsuyama City
2011
Kagawa
  
   Kotohira Town
2011
   Takamatsu City
2011
Kochi
  
   Kochi City
2011
Kyushu District
  
Fukuoka
  
   Dazaifu City
2010
   Fukuoka City
2010
   Kitakyushu City
2010-2012
Kagoshima
  
   Hioki City
2010
   Kagoshima City
2010
Nagasaki
  
   Nagasaki City
2010
Oita
  
   Oita City
2010

Rikuzentakata City, Iwate
2008 - 2009

  Rikuzentakata City is located in the southeast part of Iwate Prefecture: it is along the Pacific Ocean and also located near the border between Iwate and Miyagi.  It adjoins Ofunato City (大船渡市) in the east, Ichinoseki City (一関市) in the west, Kesen-numa City of Miyagi Prefecture (宮城県気仙沼市) in south and Sumita Town (住田町) in the north.  It is the south gate of Rikuchu Kaigan [Coast] National Park (陸中海岸国立公園).  The city is famous for "Takatamatsubata" (高田松原), a 2-km-long beautiful stretch of sandy seashore dotted with pine trees (白砂青松の浜), which is counted as one of the One-Hundred Views of Japan (日本百景).  It is the warmest city of Iwate: the yearly mean air temperature is over 10 degrees Celsius.  The hemp-palm (棕櫚) and the loquat grow here.  The red flower of wild camellia (椿; japonica) blooms in mid-winter.
  The major industry is fishing and its processing industries.  The current population is 23,164 (March 1, 2011).  The total area is 232.29 sq. km.
  
  
  On March 11, 2011, a series of the apocalyptic tsunami waves wiped out the entire city center of Rikuzentakata just like the Deluge after the destructive M9.1 earthquake struck off the northeastern Pacific coast of Japan.  Of the city's population of 23,164 (March 1, 2011) at least 1,461 people are dead and 742 missing, and 3,341 houses fell down only in Rikuzentakata.  So we cannot see the beautiful landscape below anymore.  Surviving residents and thousands of volunteers have been working hard to restore the town as it was before the tsunami.

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Ichi-jingu
     Ichi-jingu Shrine (市神宮) is a small shrine located in front of Jazz Cafe Johnny in O-machi, Takata-cho, Rikuzentakata-shi (陸前高田市高田町大町).  It enshrines "Kotoshiro-nushi-no-mikoto" (事代主命) who is the God of Oracles (事代 =言知る = 託宣) and likes fishing in the Myths of Japan, although local people have long worshipped Him as the God of Commerce.  The original shrine stood in the garden of Naizen Sato (佐藤 内膳) the Shinto priest but was moved to this site between 1804 - 1830 (文化・文政年間) as the result of negotiations.
  This shrine is a small vestige of commercial prosperity of the past.  Now this area seems to be out of fashion after a new shopping area has developed along R45.
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(Sunday 17 August) Ichi-jingu Shrine (市神宮), O-machi, Takata-cho
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(Sunday 17 August) Ichi-jingu Shrine (市神宮), O-machi, Takata-cho
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(Sunday 17 August) Carving of "Nyoirin-Kannon-Bosatsu" (如意輪観音菩薩; Cintamanicakra Bodhisattva) built in 1989 in the precinct of Ichi-jingu Shrine
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(Sunday 17 August) Now O-machi becomes a quiet shopping street!
  
     
Jazz Cafe Johnny
     Jazz Cafe Johnny (ジャズ喫茶ジョニー), 2-2 O-machi, Takata-cho, Rikuzentakata-shi (陸前高田市高田町字大町2-2).  It was founded by Ken Terui (照井 顕) the local musician/producer in August 1975.  This cafe soon became a very popular spot among jazz lovers across the country.  In April 2001 he opened "Jazz spot Rikuzentakata Johnny" (ジャズスポット・陸前高田ジョニー) in Kaiunbashi, Morioka (盛岡市開運橋) which was renamed as "Jazz & Live Kaiunbashi-no-Johnny" (Jazz & Live 開運橋のジョニー) in 2003.  Terui, however, relinquished the ownership of Jazz Cafe Johnny to his ex-wife in September 2004 when they divorced.
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(Sunday 17 August) Jazz Cafe Johnny, 2-2 O-machi, Takata-cho, Rikuzentakata-shi
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(Sunday 17 August) Jazz Cafe Johnny, 2-2 O-machi, Takata-cho, Rikuzentakata-shi
  
     
Takatamatsubara
     "Takatamatsubata" (高田松原) is a 2-km-long beautiful stretch of sandy seashore dotted with pine trees (白砂青松の浜), which is counted as one of the One-Hundred Views of Japan (日本百景).  It is the south gate of Rikuchu Kaigan [Coast] National Park (陸中海岸国立公園).
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(Sunday 17 August) Signpost of Takatamatsubara, a part of Rikuchu Kaigan [Coast] National Park
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(Sunday 17 August) A ruined guesthouse called Shoka-en (松香苑), Magarimatsu, Takata-cho, Rikuzentakata-shi (陸前高田市高田町字曲松).  When I was young, my family often stayed at this house in summer vacation, only 3 minutes away from the beach.  Presumably it closed in c. 2000.
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(Sunday 17 August) A ruined guesthouse called Shoka-en (松香苑), Magarimatsu, Takata-cho, Rikuzentakata-shi (陸前高田市高田町字曲松).  When I was young, my family often stayed at this house in summer vacation, only 3 minutes away from the beach.  Presumably it closed in c. 2000.
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(Sunday 17 August) A ruined guesthouse called Shoka-en (松香苑), Magarimatsu, Takata-cho, Rikuzentakata-shi (陸前高田市高田町字曲松).  When I was young, my family often stayed at this house in summer vacation, only 3 minutes away from the beach.  Presumably it closed in c. 2000.
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(Sunday 17 August) Closed seaside clubhouses (海の家) due to the bad ecomony and the bad weather, Takatamatsubara
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(Sunday 17 August) The only surviving (?) seaside clubhouse, Takatamatsubara
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(Sunday 17 August) Formerly called "Boto-ike" (ボート池: the boat pond), Takatamatsubara
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(Sunday 17 August) A seaside stall, Takatamatsubara
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(Sunday 17 August) The gate to the beach, Takatamatsubara
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(Sunday 17 August) The stone monument with an inscription "Takatamatsubara" written by Hiroya Masuda (増田 寛也, 1951-) the former governor of Iwate (1995-2007), who was the 8th/9th minister of Internal Affairs and Communications (総務大臣) (2007-2008).
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(Sunday 17 August) The pine-forest of Takatamatsubara
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(Sunday 17 August) The pine-forest of Takatamatsubara
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(Sunday 17 August) "Kaihin-kan" (海浜館), seaside restaurant, Takatamatsubara
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(Sunday 17 August) The beachside of Takatamatsubara
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(Sunday 17 August) The beachside of Takatamatsubara
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(Sunday 17 August) The beachside of Takatamatsubara
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(Sunday 17 August) The beachside of Takatamatsubara
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(Sunday 17 August) The beachside of Takatamatsubara
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(Sunday 17 August) The beachside of Takatamatsubara
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(Sunday 17 August) The beachside of Takatamatsubara
  
     
Kon-no Chokubai Center
     Kon-no Chokubai Center (こんの直売センター), 39-1 Kawanishi, Yonesaki-cho, Rikuzentakata-shi (陸前高田市米崎町字川西39-1).  Very popular among local people and tourists as the fishermen's well-established direct sales depot.
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(Sunday 17 August) Kon-no Chokubai Center, 39-1 Kawanishi, Yonesaki-cho, Rikuzentakata-shi
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(Sunday 17 August) Kon-no Chokubai Center, 39-1 Kawanishi, Yonesaki-cho, Rikuzentakata-shi
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(Sunday 17 August) "Yaki-hotate" (焼帆立: grilled scallops), Kon-no Chokubai Center
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(Sunday 17 August) "Iso-ramen" (磯ラーメン: seaweed noodle soup with a fishy taste) and "Yaki-hotate" (焼帆立: grilled scallops), Kon-no Chokubai Center
  
     
Michi-no-eki and Bussan-kan
     Michi-no-eki Takatamatsubara (道の駅 高田松原: Roadside Station Takatamatsubara) and Takatamatsubara Bussan-kan (高田松原物産館: Product Hall Takatamatsubara)near the city center along R45.
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(Sunday 17 August) Signpost of "Sen Masao no Furusato" (Masao Sen's Country).  Masao Sen (千昌夫, 1947-) is a "Enka" (演歌; Japanese blues) singer and once a owner of many hotels both Japan and Hawaii until the end of the bubble economy in the early 1990s.  It is said that Sen is indebted to banks in the sum of 100,000,000,000 yen (USD 925,240,512 [1USD=108 yen]) in 2008.  However, he still owns a hotel "Capital Hotel Sen" (キャピタルホテル1000) near Takatamatsubara.  In front of Michi-no-eki Takatamatsubara.
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(Sunday 17 August) Signpost of "Hiroaki Murakami no Furusato" (Hiroaki Murakami's Country).  IHiroaki Murakami (村上弘明, 1956-) is a famous actor who often appears in Samurai dramas..  In front of Michi-no-eki Takatamatsubara
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(Sunday 17 August) Michi-no-eki Takatamatsubara
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(Sunday 17 August) A festival car (山車) used for Kesen-cho Kenka Tanabata Festival (気仙町けんか七夕), Michi-no-eki Takatamatsubara
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(Sunday 17 August) Takatamatsubara Bussan-kan along R45 next to Michi-no-eki Takatamatsubara
  
     
Osabe Fishing Port
     Osabe Fishing Port (長部漁港) is located at the mouth of the Kesen River (気仙川) in Hirota Bay (広田湾) along the Sanriku-kaigan Coast facing the Pacific Ocean.  Once a famous fishing port but now it declines due to the bad economy and the severe conditions including a recent rise in gasoline.  However, most fishermen and their families work for ocean culture and processed marine products.
  This is my dad's favorite fishing port.  He often drives to this port with his friend for fishing in weekends, although they know that they do not fish very well here.  Dad says smiling, "I am very happy here only dropping a line.  I just love the process to fish."
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(Sunday 17 August) Information board in case for "tsunami."  Osabe Fishing Port.  Be careful, dad!
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(Sunday 17 August) Osabe Fishing Port
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(Sunday 17 August) Osabe Fishing Port
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(Sunday 17 August) Osabe Fishing Port
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(Sunday 17 August) Osabe Fishing Port
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(Sunday 17 August) Osabe Fishing Port
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(Sunday 17 August) Osabe Fishing Port
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(Sunday 17 August) Osabe Fishing Port
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(Sunday 17 August) An old man on the ship, Osabe Fishing Port
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(Sunday 17 August) Small fishing boats, Osabe Fishing Port
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(Sunday 17 August) Fishermen checking a casting net in Osabe Fishing Port
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(Sunday 17 August) Osabe Fishing Port
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(Sunday 17 August) Buoys in Osabe Fishing Port
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(Sunday 17 August) Small fishing boats in Osabe Fishing Port
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(Sunday 17 August) Sea-gulls in Osabe Fishing Port
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(Sunday 17 August) Sea-gulls in Osabe Fishing Port
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(Sunday 17 August) A dry starfish in Osabe Fishing Port
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(Sunday 17 August) Yoshida Dockyard (吉田造船所), Osabe Fishing Port
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(Sunday 17 August) Yoshida Dockyard, Osabe Fishing Port
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(Sunday 17 August) Yoshida Dockyard, Osabe Fishing Port
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(Sunday 17 August) Yoshida Dockyard, Osabe Fishing Port
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(Sunday 17 August) Osabe Fishing Port
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(Sunday 17 August) Osabe Fishing Port
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(Sunday 17 August) A tiny rock island, Osabe Fishing Port
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(Sunday 17 August) A tiny rock island, Osabe Fishing Port
  
     
Birthplace of Shusaku Chiba
     (One of) the (presumed) birthplace(s) of Shusaku Chiba (千葉周作生誕地), Nakai, Kesen-cho, Rkizentakata-shi (陸前高田市気仙町字中井) along the old highway called "Hama-kaido" (浜街道).  Shusaku Chiba (千葉周作, 1793-1856 [寛政5年-安政2年]).  He was the great swordsman of the late Edo Period, who founded the authoritative "Hokushin-Itto-ryu" (北進一刀流) school.  As far as I know, there is another presumed birthplace of Shusaku Chiba in Mito City, Ibaraki.
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(Sunday 17 August) Birthplace of Shusaku Chiba along the old highway called "Hama-kaido," Nakai, Kesen-cho, Rkizentakata-shi
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(Sunday 17 August) The old highway called "Hama-kaido" near the Birthplace of Shusaku Chiba and the Kesen River
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(Sunday 17 August) Birthplace of Shusaku Chiba along the old highway called "Hama-kaido," Nakai, Kesen-cho, Rkizentakata-shi
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(Sunday 17 August) Birthplace of Shusaku Chiba along the old highway called "Hama-kaido," Nakai, Kesen-cho, Rkizentakata-shi
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(Sunday 17 August) The old stone monument of the Birthplace of Shusaku Chiba along the old highway called "Hama-kaido," Nakai, Kesen-cho, Rkizentakata-shi
  
     
Kaigan-san Fumon-ji Temple
     Kaigan-san Fumon-ji Temple (海岸山 普門寺) is located at 181 Jitakesawa, Yonesaki-cho, Rikuzentakata-shi (陸前高田市 米崎町字地竹沢181).  It was founded in the 2nd year of Ninji (仁治) or AD 1241 by Kigai (記外), a disciple of Eisai Min-nan (明菴 栄西, 1141-1215) of Rinzai-shu sect of Buddhism (臨済宗).  It was converted to the Soto-shu sect (曹洞宗) by Nyogen (如幻) of Daiko-ji Temple, Hienuki County, Nambu (南部稗貫郡大興寺) in the 3rd year of Eisho (永正3年) or 1506.  During the Edo Period (1603-1867), it was a branch temple of Banjo-zan Daiko-ji Temple (萬畳山 大興寺), Daikoji, Ishidoriya-cho, Hanamaki City (花巻市石鳥谷町大興寺).  It also functioned as a liaison office temple ("furegashira"; 触頭) of Kesen County (気仙郡).
  The present main hall (本堂) was constructed in 1877 (明治10年): It enshrines a wooden seated image of "Sho-kannon" (Avalokitesvara) (木造伝聖観音坐像) made before 1559 (永禄2年).  This temple is the 29th amulet-issuing office (第29番札所) for pilgrims of The Kesen Kannon Pilgrimage of 33 Temples (気仙三十三観音).
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(Monday 21 September) Approach to Kaigan-san Fumon-ji Temple, 181 Jitakesawa, Yonesaki-cho, Rikuzentakata-shi
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(Monday 21 September) Approach to Kaigan-san Fumon-ji Temple, 181 Jitakesawa, Yonesaki-cho, Rikuzentakata-shi
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(Monday 21 September) "Dai-mon" Gate (代門; lit. substitute gate) (made in 1725 [享保10年]), Kaigan-san Fumon-ji Temple, 181 Jitakesawa, Yonesaki-cho, Rikuzentakata-shi
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(Monday 21 September) "Dai-mon" Gate (代門; lit. substitute gate) made in 1725 (享保10年), Kaigan-san Fumon-ji Temple, 181 Jitakesawa, Yonesaki-cho, Rikuzentakata-shi
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(Monday 21 September) "Dai-mon" Gate (代門; lit. substitute gate) (made in 1725 [享保10年]), Kaigan-san Fumon-ji Temple, 181 Jitakesawa, Yonesaki-cho, Rikuzentakata-shi
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(Monday 21 September) Approach to the main hall of Kaigan-san Fumon-ji Temple, 181 Jitakesawa, Yonesaki-cho, Rikuzentakata-shi
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(Monday 21 September) Approach to the main hall of Kaigan-san Fumon-ji Temple, 181 Jitakesawa, Yonesaki-cho, Rikuzentakata-shi
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(Monday 21 September) "Hon-do" (the main hall) surrounded by "sarusuberi" (百日紅; an Indian lilac; Lagerstroemia indica), Kaigan-san Fumon-ji Temple, 181 Jitakesawa, Yonesaki-cho, Rikuzentakata-shi
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(Monday 21 September) "Hon-do" (the main hall) with "sarusuberi" (百日紅; an Indian lilac; Lagerstroemia indica), Kaigan-san Fumon-ji Temple, 181 Jitakesawa, Yonesaki-cho, Rikuzentakata-shi
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(Monday 21 September) "Hon-do" (the main hall), Kaigan-san Fumon-ji Temple, 181 Jitakesawa, Yonesaki-cho, Rikuzentakata-shi
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(Monday 21 September) "Hon-do" (the main hall), Kaigan-san Fumon-ji Temple, 181 Jitakesawa, Yonesaki-cho, Rikuzentakata-shi
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(Monday 21 September) "sarusuberi" (百日紅; an Indian lilac; Lagerstroemia indica) by the main hall, Kaigan-san Fumon-ji Temple, 181 Jitakesawa, Yonesaki-cho, Rikuzentakata-shi
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(Monday 21 September) Belfry (鐘楼), Kaigan-san Fumon-ji Temple, 181 Jitakesawa, Yonesaki-cho, Rikuzentakata-shi
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(Monday 21 September) A pond, Kaigan-san Fumon-ji Temple, 181 Jitakesawa, Yonesaki-cho, Rikuzentakata-shi
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(Monday 21 September) An image of "Kannon" (Avalokitesvara) on the middle of the pond, Kaigan-san Fumon-ji Temple, 181 Jitakesawa, Yonesaki-cho, Rikuzentakata-shi
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(Monday 21 September) The garden of Kaigan-san Fumon-ji Temple, 181 Jitakesawa, Yonesaki-cho, Rikuzentakata-shi
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(Monday 21 September) Bronze statue of the Great Buddha (青銅の大仏, 5 m high) made in 1718 (享保3年), Kaigan-san Fumon-ji Temple, 181 Jitakesawa, Yonesaki-cho, Rikuzentakata-shi
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(Monday 21 September) Hall of Kongo-rikishi (金剛力士; the Two Deva Kings), Kaigan-san Fumon-ji Temple, 181 Jitakesawa, Yonesaki-cho, Rikuzentakata-shi
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(Monday 21 September) A statue of Kongo-rikishi (阿形那羅延金剛力士; one of the Two Deva Kings), Kaigan-san Fumon-ji Temple, 181 Jitakesawa, Yonesaki-cho, Rikuzentakata-shi
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(Monday 21 September) A statue of Kongo-rikishi (吽形密迹金剛力士; one of the Two Deva Kings), Kaigan-san Fumon-ji Temple, 181 Jitakesawa, Yonesaki-cho, Rikuzentakata-shi
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(Monday 21 September) Stone-carved Buddhas, Kaigan-san Fumon-ji Temple, 181 Jitakesawa, Yonesaki-cho, Rikuzentakata-shi
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(Monday 21 September) The Three-storied Pagoda (三重塔, built in 1809 [文化6年]; 12.5 m high; 164.8 sq m in the first level), Kaigan-san Fumon-ji Temple.  Now under construction.
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(Monday 21 September) The Three-storied Pagoda (三重塔, built in 1809 [文化6年]; 12.5 m high; 164.8 sq m in the first level), Kaigan-san Fumon-ji Temple.  Now under construction.
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(Monday 21 September) The Three-storied Pagoda (三重塔, built in 1809 [文化6年]; 12.5 m high; 164.8 sq m in the first level), Kaigan-san Fumon-ji Temple.  Now under construction.
  
     
Hobi-zan Choen-ji Temple;
     Hobi-zan Choen-ji Temple (宝尾山 長圓寺) is located at 133 Ushizawa, Kesen-cho, Rikuzentakata-shi (陸前高田市気仙町字丑沢133).  It was founded by Archbishop Choen Hoin (権大僧都長円法印) in Eiroku Era (永禄年間) or between AD 1558 and 1570.  It belongs to the Shingon-shu-Chisan-ha sect of Buddhism (真言宗試智山派).  The main hall enshrines "Dainichi-nyorai" (大日如来; 摩訶毘盧遮那; Skt. Mahavairocanasatathagata; the Dainichi Buddha).  This temple is the 16th amulet-issuing office (第16番札所) for pilgrims of The Kesen Kannon Pilgrimage of 33 Temples (気仙三十三観音).
  In the early morning of May 4th in the 3rd year of Kaei (嘉永3年) or 1850, a big meteorite (135 kg) bombarded this temple site: It is called "Kesen-inseki" (気仙隕石; Kesen Meteorite) which is now kept in National Science Museum Ueno (上野国立科学博物館) as the largest meteorite of Japan so far.  There is a monument of the "Kesen-inseki" (Kesen Meteorite) in the precinct (photo not available in this site).
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(Monday 21 September) Namestone of Hobi-zan Choen-ji Temple, 133 Ushizawa, Kesen-cho, Rikuzentakata-shi
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(Monday 21 September) San-mon Gate (山門), Hobi-zan Choen-ji Temple, 133 Ushizawa, Kesen-cho, Rikuzentakata-shi
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(Monday 21 September) San-mon Gate (山門), Hobi-zan Choen-ji Temple, 133 Ushizawa, Kesen-cho, Rikuzentakata-shi
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(Monday 21 September) "Hon-do" (本堂; the main mall, built between 1957 and 1962), Hobi-zan Choen-ji Temple, 133 Ushizawa, Kesen-cho, Rikuzentakata-shi
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(Monday 21 September) "Hon-do" (本堂; the main hall, built between 1957 and 1962), Hobi-zan Choen-ji Temple, 133 Ushizawa, Kesen-cho, Rikuzentakata-shi
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(Monday 21 September) "Jyu-o-do" (十王堂; the Hall Dedicated to the Ten Doomsters of the Buddhist Hades), Hobi-zan Choen-ji Temple, 133 Ushizawa, Kesen-cho, Rikuzentakata-shi
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(Monday 21 September) "Sotoba" (卒塔婆; the Buddhist wooden tablets; Buddhist wood pillars for the repose of the dead), behind the "Jyu-o-do" Hall, Hobi-zan Choen-ji Temple, 133 Ushizawa, Kesen-cho, Rikuzentakata-shi
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(Monday 21 September) "Sho-do" (鐘堂; the belfry) (right front) and "Hon-do" (本堂; the main hall) (left back), Hobi-zan Choen-ji Temple, 133 Ushizawa, Kesen-cho, Rikuzentakata-shi
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(Monday 21 September) Hobi-zan Choen-ji Temple, viewed from the graveyard, 133 Ushizawa, Kesen-cho, Rikuzentakata-shi
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(Monday 21 September) "Sekibutsu-Sho-Kannon" (石仏聖観音;the Stone Buddha Statue of Avalokitesvara, made in Seoul, Korea), Hobi-zan Choen-ji Temple, 133 Ushizawa, Kesen-cho, Rikuzentakata-shi
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(Monday 21 September) "Sekibutsu-Sho-Kannon" (石仏聖観音;the Stone Buddha Statue of Avalokitesvara, made in Seoul, Korea), Hobi-zan Choen-ji Temple, 133 Ushizawa, Kesen-cho, Rikuzentakata-shi
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(Monday 21 September) "Mani-guruma" (摩尼車; the Buddhist Prayer Wheel[s]), Hobi-zan Choen-ji Temple, 133 Ushizawa, Kesen-cho, Rikuzentakata-shi.  There are five "Mani-guruma" here.
  "Mani" (摩尼) suggests "Cintamani" (如意宝珠), which is a wish-fulfilling jewel within both Hindu and Buddhist traditions.  In Buddhism it is held by the bodhisattvas, Avalokiteshvara and Ksitigarbha.  It is also seen carried upon the back of the Lung ta (wind horse).  Within Hinduism it is connected with the gods, Vishnu and Ganesha.  In Buddhism the orb is often mentioned in teaching the Great Buddha's virtues and the Buddhist Scriptures.  The whole text of the 262-word Chinese translation of "Han-nya-shin-gyo" (般若心経;Skt. Prajna-paramita-hrdaya: The Heart Sutra) (supposedly around 400 CE by Kumarajiva [鳩摩羅什, 344 CE-413 CE]) are inscribed on each of these five wheels.
  It is said that one rotation of these wheels brings you one virtue equivalent to reading through the Buddhist Scripture.  Touch softly and circumvolve the wheels clockwise, chanting the second last passage of "Han-nya-shin-gyo": "Gate Gate Paragate Parasamgate Bodhi Svaha!" (羯諦羯諦波羅羯諦波羅僧羯諦菩提薩婆訶) which can be translated: "Gone, gone, gone beyond, gone altogether beyond, O what an awakening, all-hail!" (trans. E. Conze).  The passage roughly means, "May God bless the awakened."

  The Heart of Perfect Wisdom Sutra or Heart Sutra or Essence of Wisdom Sutra (Skt. Prajnaparamita Hrdaya)* is a well-known Mahayana Buddhist sutra that is very popular among Mahayana Buddhists both for its brevity and depth of meaning.  The Heart Sutra has generally been thought to have probably been composed in the first century CE in Kushan Empire territory, by a Sarvastivadin or ex-Sarvastivadin monk.  If the six hundred volumes of the Maha Projna Sutra can be summarized by the Diamond Sutra in around 5,000 words, then the Diamond Sutra can be summarized by the Heart Sutra in around 250 words in the Sanskrit texts.  The Heart Sutra is regarded as the summation of the wisdom of the Great Buddha.  It explains perfectly the teaching of non-attachment, which is basically the doctrine of emptiness.  Many Buddhists like to recite the Heart Sutra daily.  A variety of English translations of the Heart Sutra are available in the site of Buddhism.org: Buddhist eLibrary."


  *The word sutra is not present in known Sanskrit manuscripts.
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(Monday 21 September) Small stone images dedicated to the Eighty-eight Holy Places of Shikoku (四国八十八箇所) of Kobo-daishi Kukai'(弘法大師 空海, AD 774-835), Hobi-zan Choen-ji Temple, 133 Ushizawa, Kesen-cho, Rikuzentakata-shi
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(Monday 21 September) "Shugyo-no-dojo" (修行の道場; lit. the Buddhist Training Center), Hobi-zan Choen-ji Temple, 133 Ushizawa, Kesen-cho, Rikuzentakata-shi
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(Monday 21 September) A small shrine inside of "Shugyo-no-dojo" (修行の道場; lit. the Buddhist Training Center), Hobi-zan Choen-ji Temple, 133 Ushizawa, Kesen-cho, Rikuzentakata-shi
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(Monday 21 September) Shirohamasaki (白浜崎) of Hirota Bay (広田湾), viewed from Hobi-zan Choen-ji Temple, 133 Ushizawa, Kesen-cho, Rikuzentakata-shi



        


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