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Choshoji Temple in Hirosaki City
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Choshoji Temple is located to the south-west from Hirosaki Castle.
Choshoji Temple was the family temple of the TSUGARU Clans, who were the feudal lords of Tsugaru Area, which is the west part of the current Aomori Prefecture.
The Choshoji Temple was originally built in 1528 and was moved to the current place in 1610.
TSUGARU Nobuhira
(1586 - 1631)
, who was the second generation of TSUGARU Clan, made thirty-three temples located in this area, including Choshoji temple, in order for these temples to have a function of forts to protect Hirosaki Castle.
This area named "Choshoji Kamae", which means the structure of Choshoji Temple.
In December, 2010, when I visited "Choshoji Kamae", this area was silent by snow falling.
At the entrance of "Choshoji Kamae", "Aka-Mon", the red gate, was located.
When you go to a branch street of "Choshoji Kamae" through the red gate, you will see a couple of thirty-three temples along the street.
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At the end of the branch street, Sotokuji Temple is located.
The temple was built by TSUGARU Tamenobu
(1550 - 1608)
, the first generation of TSUGARU Clan, in order to pray for the repose of his father, OHURA Morinobu
(1524 - 1568)
.
One hundred meters to the north of the red gate, "Kuromon", the black gate, is located.
The gate is the entrance gate of "Choshoji Kamae".
No record of the date of building the black gate remained, but an old map issued in 1687 shows the gate.
After passing through the black gate, you will see temples along the main street of "Choshoji Kamae".
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White walls of temples line along the street.
Also, there are cedar trees on each side of the street.
This scenery has been kept as it was in the Edo Age
(1603 - 1868)
At the end of the main street, Choshoji Temple is located.
Snow was falling and Choshoji Temple was silent as if it was frozen.
The "Sammon" Gate, the main gate of the temple, was built in 1629 by TSUGARU Nobuhira
(1586 - 1631)
,
the second generation of the TSUGARU clan. A pair of deva statues were very powerful.
The building of Choshoji Temple including "Sammom" Gate are categorized as important cultural properties of Japan.
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Beside the Choshoji Temple area, there was mausoleums of TSUGARU clans and their wives.
Snow was falling silently.
The mausoleums of TSUGARU clans are off-limit without approval.
In winter, Choshoji Temple is closed.
There was no choice but to take a look from the outside of the mausoleums.
However, I was touched with the subtle and profound atmosphere of the mausoleums.
The mausoleums of TSUGARU clans are also categorized as important cultural properties of Japan.
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