Japan Heritage Dazaifu

　This is a repository imitating the original storehouse on the east side of the Main Shrine.
　Many cultural assets are stored here such as a 5m tall sculpture, many cultural assets passed on in Kanzeon-ji Temple and many of them are designated as National important cultural properties.

　The oldest sculpture is “Tobatsu Bishamonten” placed at the center as you go up the stairs. It was made in 9th century; this Buddha is considered as a guardian Buddha Bishamonten who appeared in “Tobatsu” the western country of the Tang dynasty.The same kind of sculpture was placed at southern gate of Suzaku Road Rajo-mon Gate (Main entrance) in Heiankyo in Kyoto. So this statue was most likely placed originally at “Rajo-mon Gate” in the ancient city of Dazaifu Jobo.

　The original tiles of the temple are displayed as well. Tiles with saw-tooth patterns around lotus flowers are also found in Kawahara-dera Temple of Asuka in Nara (One of the four greatest temples of Asuka) and Fujiwara-kyo Palace (from 694 to 710) which had connection with an emperor from the late 7th century.

　At Kanzeon-ji Temple, there were performers of Gigaku (an ancient pantomime in which performers wear masks) which originated on the continent. In “Nihon Shoki (Chronicles of Japan)”, it was recorded that “Gigaku performers were sent from Kawara-dera Temple to Tsukushi (a name of Fukuoka province at that time) to entertain delegates from the Silla dynasty of Korea in 686”. Most likely this is the origin of Gigaku in Kanzeon-ji Temple. A record of the temple in 905 describes details about conditions of new and old equipment of the Gigaku. You can see the historical “Bugaku Mask (a mask which was used for Bugaku dance)” here. It is a nationally important cultural property.

　In addition, there are many cultural assets indicating cultural exchanges both inside and outside Japan such as fired bricks with beautiful patterns influenced by the Silla dynasty and a statue of a lion (one of the nationally important cultural properties) influenced by the Sung dynasty of China.

　Based on a record and an old sketch map from 905, Kaidan-in had two buildings lining up from east to west. And from the record of 1148, it said that there were five column spaces.
　Later Kaidan-in declined and in 1668 it restarted as Zen Temple. The Current Main Hall is a Zen-sect-style building which was likely rebuilt in 1680.

　Its principle statue of Buddha is Rushanabutsu (National important cultural property); same as Toudai-ji Temple in Nara. It seems like it was made in the 12th century.
　At the right side Monju Bosatsu stands and to the left side Miroku Bosatu also stands. Both of them are designated cultural properties of Dazaifu city. Both of them were made by a sculptor of Buddhist statue from Kyoto and completed here during the Edo era.Around this time, Bonsho Bell (Designated cultural property of Fukuoka), a statue of Ganjin (Designated cultural property of Dazaifu) and a statue of Kukai who had a link to Kanzeon-ji Temple were all made.

　The Middle area is “Kaidan” where you receive commandments of Buddhism. It has been said that the soil of Tianzhu (India), Tang (China) and Nara (Japan) were stored here.

　It has been said that Genbo was killed by a spirit of Fujiwara no Hirotsugu who died in Dazaifu because of his rebellion against the Imperial court.
　According to the legend, in 746, while Genbo was performing a memorial service for the completion of Kanzeon-ji Temple Garan (a complex of temple buildings), a cloud suddenly appeared and he was taken to heaven with the thunder. Later his body fell on Kazeon-ji Temple and his neck fell on Kofuku-ji Temple in Heijo-kyo Nara so that this place is also called the “Tomb of Genbo’s body”.
　At his grave, there is a stone pagoda from around the 14^th century, called Hokyoin pagoda. It’s a cultural asset which tells us about the structural stone culture of medieval Dazaifu.