JAPAN
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Hiraizumi once rivaled Kyoto for its elegance and regal beauty.
It was home to the northern branch of Japan’s ruling clan, the Ōshū Fujiwara, who introduced the aristocratic culture of Kyoto to this part of the country.
Though short-lived, they created a complex of temples and gardens representing the Pure Land of Buddha on earth.
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A World Heritage Site since 2011, Chūson-ji is Hiraizumi's most renowned temple.
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Originally, the vast temple complex had more than 40 halls, pagodas, and over 300 monk's quarters. Yet most of them were destroyed by fire in 1337.
Many artifacts survived, including paintings, manuscripts, and the temple's artistic tour de force - the gilded hall of Konjiki-do.
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With 40 structures and 500 monk's quarters, Mōtsū-ji eclipsed nearby Chūson-ji.
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The second lord of the Ōshū Fujiwara clan commissioned the complex. But following the dynasty's demise nearly all structures were consumed by flame.
Only the Pure Land Garden and its central pond remained unchanged for 800 years.
All thanks to locals who kept reconstructing the grounds to emulate its initial appearance.
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