Risshaku-ji Temple, Yamagata, Japan
Yamadera is a Buddhist temple of Tendai sect located about 12 km northeast of central Yamagata city.”Yamadera” is the popular name, and the official name is “Risshakuji”. The war in the 14th century destroyed this temple, but it was rebuilt when Yamagata Castle was completed in 1356.
In 1521, it was destoyed by a war again. But Yoshiaki Mogami, the first lord of Yamagata domain, rebuilt the current temple.
In the summer of 1628, Basho Matsuo, most famous “haiku” poet, visited here, then he composed a haiku. Most Japanese people know this haiku. “Yamadera” means “Mountain temple”. Literally, the temple is on a slope of mountain.
At the foot of the mountain, there are the main building, Konponchudou hall (A national important cultural property), a museum and other buildings.
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