Daichiji Temple
Hourai Garden
The temple, which dates dack some 1200years, was founded in the 8th century by Gyoki, a famous priest during the Tenpyo period.
Distinguished by its sculpted azaleas and seasonally changing beauty, Hourai Garden dates back to the early 17th century. It is believed to have been created by Kobori Enshu, a renowned garden designer, during the Kanei Era near the start of the Tokugawa Period. Hourai Garden is a vivid example of karesansui-a style of garden which simulates a feeling of water without actually using water. Here the white sands represent a sea, at the center of which is a ship laden with treasure. Along the ship's center we can see sculpted azaleas representing the sails, smaller azaleas representing seven treasures and, behind them, seven stones representing the seven gods of good fortune. To the rear, an azalea pruned to two heights stands for large and small waves, while at the right foreground we see a round cutting that stands for kameshima-a turtle-shaped is land.
The Houraiyama pines in the Chashitsumae Garden (in front of the tea room) symbolize dancing cranes. At night, the white storehouse wall reflects moonlight to create a sense of unrestricted openness.
It is said 釈迦如来坐像(Syakanyoraizazou)that was carved the Tenpyo period by Gyoki. That is said to have prayed three times after every stroke of his ax. It is a large Buddha statue of wood carvings of about 98 inch. Syakanyorai is the founder of Buddhism, also called as 大恩教主(daionkyousyu) or 発遣教主(hakkenkyousyu) an outgoing master. It is Buddha who is taught to teach people to lead people from this suffering world to a world without suffering, and send suffering people to the world of Buddha.
Every season brings fresh splendor to the garden. From late May to mid-June, the garden shimmers with flowers of red, white, pink and purple. By August and September the flowers give way to lush green foliage that outlines the sculpted bushes and accents their intriguing form-at this time you can experience the garden in its true beauty.
In autumn, the maple trees In the background burst into flaming reds and form an exquisite counterpoint to the green and white. The garden's rainbow of seasonal colors is completed by the thoughtful purplish browns of winter.
Hourai Garden is an oasis of natural beauty and quietude. Loved by tea ceremony devotees, the garden invites visitors to experience a moment of wabi-a simple yet profound tranquility. As either a master-piece of garden design or a rich, living expression of Zen, the Hourai Garden offers unique splendor. It stands today as a timeless tribute to its creators.