Hiraizumi

Introducing Hiraizumi

Stop here to see some pretty amazing temples and wish that more remained – Hiraizumi’s grandeur once rivalled Kyoto’s, and the tale of its ruin is one of the most bittersweet sagas in Tōhoku’s history. Yet you’d hardly know it from the present looks of this quiet, rural town. From 1089 to 1189, three generations of the Fujiwara family, headed by Fujiwara Kiyohira, created a political and cultural centre in Hiraizumi. Kiyohira had made his fortune from local gold mines and, at the behest of Kyoto priests, he used his wealth and power to commence work on the creation of a ‘paradise on earth’, devoted to the principles of Buddhist thought as a reaction against the feudal wars that were plaguing the land. His son and grandson continued along this path. However, Kiyohira’s great-grandson, Yoshihira, yielding to both internal and external pressures, brought this short century of fame and prosperity to an end. Today only a few sights bear testament to Hiraizumi’s glory, but they represent a singular experience and are well worth your time.

Last updated: Feb 17, 2009