After approximately fifteen minute walk from the mausoleum of MAEDA Toshinaga, I arrived at Zuiryuji Temple.
The main gate of Zuiryuji Temple came into view.
As I stepped onto the temple's approach from the residential area along "Hatcho-michi", the atmosphere shifted completely, enveloping me in an air of solemnity and majestic dignity.
Zuiryuji Temple is a grand temple of the Soto Zen sect. The origins of Zuiryuji Temple lie in Hoenji Temple, which MAEDA Toshinaga originally founded in Kanazawa in 1594.
It is said that Hoenji Temple was relocated to Takaoka because MAEDA Toshinaga moved his residence from Kanazawa to Toyama, and subsequently to Takaoka.
After MAEDA Toshinaga's death, MAEDA ToshitsuneToshitsune
, the second lord of the Kaga Feudal Domain, designated Hoenji Temple as Toshinaga's family temple and renamed it Zuiryūji Temple.
Upon passing through the main gate, a spacious temple precinct came into view.
MAEDA Toshitsune began developing the temple complex around 1640. The magnificent "Shichido garan", a standard seven-building temple layout, comprising structures such as the "Sanmon Gate", the Buddha Hall, and the Dharma Hall", was reportedly completed in 1663, approximately twenty years after construction began.
Rising imposingly before me stands the majestic "Sanmon Gate".
The "Sanmon Gate" was destroyed by fire in 1746 and subsequently rebuilt in 1820.
The below picture shows the view of the main gate looking back from in front of the "Sanmon Gate".
Upon passing through the "Sanmon Gate", you will find the covered corridors extending from both sides of the "Sanmon Gate", enclosing the temple grounds.
If you stand in front the "Sanmon Gate", the main service building is located to the right, and the "Zendo", Zen meditation hall, to the left.
