The three-storied pagoda and main temple of Myotsu-ji Temple are considered national treasures. This temple was built in the Kamakura Period and was originally covered in red lacquer — a very glamorous building that was considered the most influential temple in Wakasa with many faithful followers. You can find more than 400 wooden donation plaques, or “Kishin Fuda,” at Myotsu-ji that were written between the Kamakura Period and the Edo Period. Followers would gather as much money and rice as they could and ask for blessings on these plaques. Why were people able to donate so much to this temple? Some may say it was thanks to the prosperity of the trade in the region, but it is also evidence of how important this national treasure is.

However, the history of Myotsu-ji dates back to before the Kamakura Period. It is said that this temple was built by the great shogun, Sakanoue no Tamamuramaro, whom we have previously discussed. He was a talented warrior and is famous for unifying the Tohoku region. Sakanoue built Kiyomizu Dera in honor of those from Tohoku who had died in war, but he also built Myotsu-ji in Wakasa at the same time.

The building from that time caught fire and the main temple was completely burned down. However, the main temple’s Bhaisajyuguru statue was made in the Heian Period using a technique to carve statues out of a single large piece of wood that must be at least 1,000 years old. Compared to statues, buildings are more susceptible to fire, but this replica of the original Kamakura Period building still exists.
Why are the treasures of Wakasa still around? It takes money to maintain these kinds of temples and statues. Thanks to the prosperity of trade in Wakasa and the faith of its people, these buildings have been preserved over time.