Entsu-in Temple, Tohoku, Japan

4ART196 5:00 PM Apr 19, 2016

円通院　［松島］　Entsūin (Matsushima)
Entsūin is a small temple but one full of interesting features and history. The temple is the location of the mausoleum of Date Mitsumune, grandson of Date Masamune, built by his father Date Tadamune in 1646. Mitsumune had died whilst aged just 19. A child genius and promising up-and-comer, it is said that he was feared by the Shogunate and that his death had been down to assassination by poisoning. His mausoleum, the Sankeiden, has a golden interior. Mitsumune is depicted attired as a noble riding on a white steed. There are painted decorations of European origin, influenced by pictures brought to Japan in 1620 by Hasekawa Tsunenaga, an explorer and Christian samurai who had served Date Masamune. Among these paintings is a red rose, possible the first depiction of a western rose in Japan. The Mausoleum also contains statues of the 7 retainers who committed Junshi (ritual suicide to follow one’s lord unto death) upon Mitsumune’s death. Daihitei (“Villa of Great Bereavement”) serves as Entsūin’s main hall of worship, dedicated to Kannon-Bosatsu (known also as the Goddess of Mercy in English). Daihitei has a thatched roof, unlike any Hondō I’ve seen before as it had formerly been Mitsumune’s summer home in Edo. It was brought to Entsūin in 1647. Entsūin has three gardens. With moss and maple trees throughout, one contains a rock garden, and another a heat-shaped pond, and the third is a rose garden (not in season when I visited). The heart pond (its shape is more like a lily pad’s I think) and rose garden are inspired by the rose and heart designs in Sankeiden.

4Oliver F 5:00 PM Oct 17, 2016

Hidden jewel
This temple is lesser famous than the next door Zuiganji temple with its beautiful painted sliding doors. But, Entsuin temple has a very nice garden and the famous mausoleum of date Mitsumune which had been locked up for more than 300 years due to the Christian artifacts engraved in the young lords statue. During the Edo period Christians were being prosecuted by the ruling authorities and since the statue had these artifacts it was decided to hide it. It was on,y opened up again after World War II which is one of the main reason why it is being in such a good state. The garden is also very calm and has been used many times by Japanese TV and movie firms as a Samurai scene in a movie.