Inami Betsuin Zuisen-ji

– Inami Betsuin Zuisen-ji – 井波別院瑞泉寺-
Nanto（南砺市） – March 21, 2020

Inami Betsuin Zuisen-ji was a lucky find on our way to Toyama. While at the rest stop in Johana, I mentioned on a whim it’d be nice to get my first goshuin from Toyama Prefecture. A short search found some temples a short drive away.

We ended up finding a treasure.

Inami is a region of Toyama Prefecture that is famous for its elaborate wood carvings. Their depth makes them seem to leap out from waves and plants. The local temple, too, is decorated with such elaborate wood sculptures.

The temple was established in 1390. Like many wooden buildings, it has been rebuilt over the years. After it was burned down in 1763, four artisans came to rebuild it. Among them was Sanshiro Maekawa, one of the best woodcarvers in Kyoto. It was from these artisans that the townsfolk learned the woodcarving that made Inami famous.

The building as it stands now was built in 1885. It’s the largest Pureland Buddhist temple in the Hokuriku region and the fourth largest wooden building in Japan.

You can have your goshuin written in your goshuincho or you can receive it on a piece of paper. I left my goshuincho in the car, so I received one on paper. The paper is lovely and has silver flecks in it.

Homepage: https://inamibetuin-zuisen-ji.amebaownd.com/ (Japanese)

Location