Mōtsūji temple was first established by Fujiwara Kiyohira in 1126, and later reconstructed by his son Motohira after it burned down. The Ōizumiga'ike pond, located to the south of the main hall and with a central island, retains the design of the Heian period in such elements as an upright stone in the pond and the wave-beaten rough seashore. Recent excavations have revealed that all the shore of the pond was covered with pebble beaches, and that the yarimizu stream flowed in from the northeastern part of the pond. The garden at Mōtsūji temple is designated a national special scenic spot, and is located in the town of Hiraizumi, Iwate prefecture.
Japanese Garden Dictionary: A Glossary for Japanese Gardens and Their History
(C) 2010 by Ono Kenkichi and Walter Edwards. All rights reserved.
