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Mōtsū-ji, designated as both a "Special Historic Site" and a "Special Scenic Spot" by the government, preserves numerous relics from the Heian period, including the foundational stones of Buddhist architecture. It is said that at its peak, the temple housed 40 halls and pagodas along with 500 monks, making its scale nearly surpass that of Chūson-ji. The Pure Land garden is preserved almost perfectly, allowing visitors to feel as though they have stepped into a world from 800 years ago.
The Pure Land garden of Mōtsū-ji, which presents the world of Buddha in the human realm, is considered a representative work of the Pure Land-style garden. It was constructed by the second generation of the Kiyohira family and completed by the third generation, Sukehiro.
At the center of the garden is the "Ōizumi Pond," which features a central island shaped like a magatama (curved jewel). The remains of the bridge piers that once connected to the island are preserved and currently displayed in the treasure museum. The "Shubō," representing a beautiful coastline, is designed to resemble a cliff, while the "Dekizumi Stone Group and the Standing Stone in the Pond" depict the tumultuous waves of the coast; everywhere you look, you can see the techniques of garden design integrated with the natural landscape.
Additionally, the waterway (the channel that brings water into the pond) of Mōtsū-ji is the only remaining structure from the Heian period and is extremely rare in Japan. Against this waterway, the "Kurayami no En" (Banquet of the Curved Water) is held every year. This so-called "Kurayami no En" allows sake cups to float on the water, accompanied by the flowing water as participants recite poems and songs, reflecting the elegant singing games of the Heian period. Characters dressed in Heian period attire lead us back to ancient times.
