Gokoku ji temple was built in 1681 and it is special, as it is preserved unchanged in the shape as it had been built. It survived earthquakes, wars… Thus looking at the original old wooden structure is very interesting. It is great that visitors can enter the Main Hall, however photography is prohibited.
I am sitting on the tatami floor and looking at he ceiling where there are paintings of Benten on wood. There are many big framed paintings on wood on upper part of the walls above the doors, too. One of them depicts Benten with the Dragon. My favorite is a big painting on wood above the main entrance door – on a dark background just cocks are depicted.
There are beautiful polychromed roses bas-reliefs carved out of wood above the beams in front of the altar part. There are many old interesting statues inside, too. I believe that from what I have written you understand that it is fascinating to look around and I am really very much fascinated by the fact, that this temple had survived so much… No wonder that it is an Important Cultural Property of Japan.
