Temple Bell

TicketWindow

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Pond

Seiryuden(Museum)

Kuri(Kitchen)

Hondo(Main Building)

Toilets

to the Main Gate

Head Priests’ Graves

Walkway

Main Gate

Walkway

ZuiganjiSeiryuden

Godaido

This stately tiled-roof building houses the treasures from Zuiganji Temple’s thousand years of history. Its storage rooms and exhibition rooms contain approximately 30,000 items including national treasures. In addition to the regular collection there are special exhibitions which vary by season and theme. Museum entry is included with admission to Zuiganji.

◎211 original wall paintings (Edo Period)※Statue of Date Masamune in armor (1652)※Large Wakizashi Sword (1655)

◎National Important Cultural Property ※Miyagi Prefectural Designated Cultural Properties

Treasures Include

Museum(SEIRYUDEN)

LargeWakizashi Sword

Statue of Date Masamune in armorThis large wooden statue depicts samurai ruler Date Masamune in his prime at the age of 27.

[Miyagi Prefecture Designated Cultural Property]

On the 20th anniversary of the death of samurai ruler Date Masamune, his son Tadamune commissioned Tomita “Yamato no Kami” Yasusada to make this sword. The handguard, hilt and scabbard were also included.[Miyagi Prefecture Designated Cultural Property]

※Note that this figure is not always on display

Seiryuzan

Zuiganji Temple瑞巌寺

The Myoshinji Sect of Rinzaishu BuddhismMap of the Temple and Grounds

室中孔雀の間

仏間

文王の間

上段の間

上々段の間

羅漢の間

墨絵の間

菊の間

松の間

鷹の間

御成玄関

南蛮鉄灯籠

回廊及び庫裡

青龍殿（宝物館）

臥龍梅（紅白梅～花期4月中）

五葉松

埋木書院

石斛（花期5月末～6月初）

法身窟

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Closed to public

GodaidoThis symbol of Matsushima was founded in 807 and reconstructed by Date Masamune in 1604. It is the oldest Momoyama-style building in northeastern Japan. It is named for the five Buddhas of wisdom housed within. Entry is free and it is closed evenings.

※15 minute walk from Zuiganji Temple

National Important Cultural Property

Search

〒981-0213 91 Matsushima Aza Chonai Matsushima-machi, Miyagi Pref.

Website : www.zuiganji.or.jp/

Zuiganji Admission fees Individuals

700 yen

400 yen

650 yen

350 yen

600 yen

300 yen

Adults( Including high school and college students)

Children(Elementary and junior high school students)

Groups of 30＋(Per person)

Groups of 100＋(Per person)

Free English tours available on Sundays between 10 and 3.

If you have proof of a disability, please contact the temple office.

Telephone:022-354-2023 Fax:022-354-5145

The Myoshinji Sect of Rinzaishu Buddhism Seiryuzan Zuiganji Temple

zuiganji

Shitchu kujaku no ma

Butsuma

Bunno no ma

Jodan no ma

Jo jodan no ma

Rakan no ma

Sumie no ma

Kiku no ma

Matsu no ma

Taka no ma

Onari Genkan (Emperor’s Entrance)

Nanban tetsu toro (Iron Lantern)

Kuri (Kitchen)

Seiryuden (Museum)

Garyubai (Korean Plum Tree)

Goyo no matsu (Japanese White Pine)

Umoregi Shoin (Study)

Sekkoku (Orchid)

Hosshin Cave

[ Hondo Rooms ❶～10 ]

Jodan no Ma (High Room)The Jodan no Ma (High Room) was for exclusive use by the samurai rulers of Sendai. The study has a magnificent black lacquered alcove with staggered shelves. The completely rounded Chinese doors are the only one of their kind in Japan and feature highly detailed gold ornaments. The gold leaf walls feature paintings by Hasegawa Toin which depict the four seasons. The Chinese characters (“Enman”, meaning harmony) above the doorway were written by Date Yoshimura, the 5th ruler of Sendai.

Zuiganji Temple is a major Rinzai-sect Zen Buddhist temple of the

Tohoku (northeastern) region. It was originally established in 828AD by

the legendary priest, Jikaku Daishi, who spread Buddhism through

northern Japan. At that time Matsushima Bay was on the frontier of

Japan and its beauty was thought to be close to paradise. After founding

Zuiganji, Jikaku Daishi established temples in the mountains of

Yamadera and plains of Hiraizumi. In that era, Monks made

pilgrimages to Zuiganji from as far away as Kyoto, and for centuries lived

and prayed in the caves around Matsushima. Over the next 800 years the

temple fell into disrepair. Samurai ruler and founder of Sendai City,

Date Masamune rebuilt Zuiganji in 1609 to serve as his family temple. As

Zuiganji was built at the end of a long period of civil wars, it has features

normally only seen in castles including a watchtower and nightingale

alarm floors. Masamune spared no expense in its construction bringing

in the finest wood from Wakayama (near Kyoto) to be carved by 130

master craftsmen. Treasures from 1000 years of history, including

original armor of Date Masamune, are held by the temple museum.

Kuri

Zuiganji Hondo National Treasure

National Treasure

This is the kitchen for Zuiganji Temple.It stands 13.78 meters wide by 23.64 meters long. Above the main roof is an upper roof designed as a chimney to vent smoke. Lord Date Masamune's strong aesthetic sense can be seen in the ornamental carvings that embellish this building intended for practical use. Inside is a bronze unpan gong that is still struck to announce meal times. The interior of the Kuri is closed to the public.

Peacock PanelIn the center room of Zuiganji Temple’s Hondo (main building ) , Buddhist memorial ceremonies are held. The sliding doors are decorated with images of a peacock, painted by Sakuma Shuri, artist to the Sendai ruling family. The peacock is from the land where Buddhism originated. Here the peacock is pictured with its plumage on full display, symbolizing paradise. With the exception of the Sumie no Ma room, each room in the Hondo has been perfectly restored to its original state from 1622.

This is the main building of Zuiganji Temple. It faces southeast towards Matsushima

Bay. At its southwest end is the Onari Genkan (Emperor’s Entrance) and at the

southeast end are corridors leading to the Kuri (Temple Kitchen).

The Hondo stands 38 meters wide by 24 meters long and consists of 10 rooms. Its

tiled roof was built in the irimoya-zukuri (hip and gable) style.

Construction finished in 1609 and took approximately 5 years to complete. It was

built by expert craftsmen from Kyoto and Wakayama using the finest-quality

cypress, cedar, and zelkova wood from Wakayama Prefecture.

Peacock Room (Kujaku no Ma room)

pictured: GodaidoStory of Zuiganji