Todai-ji Betsuin, Suo Amita-dera Main Hall

Overview

Todai-ji Betsuin, Suo Amita-dera is a Kegon sect temple located in Mure, Hofu City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, renowned as a hydrangea temple. It is said to have been founded in 1187 (Bunji 3) by Chūgen of Todai-ji Temple as a branch temple in Suo Province. Chūgen, undertaking the reconstruction of Todai-ji, is said to have established Amita-dera in this location for laborers working on lumbering, appointing the governor of Suo Province as the chief priest. It burned down in 1484 (Bunmei 16) but was later rebuilt with the support of the Ōuchi clan. While it once possessed many sub-temples, only the main hall and Niomon gate remain today. Powerful wooden statues of Kongorikishi (guardian deities), crafted by a disciple of Kaikei (a prominent sculptor of the Kamakura period), stand at the entrance, serving as a symbol of Amita-dera. A stone bath, purportedly created by Chūgen for the laborers, also remains as a precious cultural asset, offering invaluable insight into the lifestyles of the time. On the first Sunday of every month, the stone bath is heated, and general visitors can bathe for a fee. Hydrangea planting began around 1975 (Showa 50), with the Hofu Chamber of Commerce and Industry's Junior Members also participating in planting in 1988 (Showa 63). Currently, approximately 4,000 hydrangea plants of 80 varieties are cultivated. During the hydrangea festival held around June each year, the temple grounds are filled with colorful hydrangeas, attracting numerous tourists. Even outside the hydrangea season, the serene temple grounds offer the perfect place for relaxation and rejuvenation. Why not spend some peaceful time at Amita-dera, surrounded by history and nature?