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〒386-1431
長野県上田市別所温泉
TEL 0268-38-2020
FAX 0268-38-8887
〔お問合せ先〕
ご意見・ご要望は下記まで
 :info@bessyo.or.jp
お急ぎの方は、お電話でお願いします。 |
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HISTORY
OF BESSHO ONSEN SPA
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Long long ago,
when Prince Yamatotakeru made a punitive
expedition to the East, he was able to
comfort his soldiers in their suffering
in a hot spring, which he named "Hot
Spring of Nanakuri", using for the
word Nanakuri, characters which mean"to
get rid of seven sufferings", Later
these characters for Nanakuri were changed
to mean "the country side of seven
eternities",expressing the wish that
the hot spring would remain popular over
a long period. Bessho Onsen Spa is the
oldest hot spring in the shinshu region,
and is mentioned in "Makura no Soshi" (The
Pillow Book) by Seisho Nagon, who wrote, "the
hot springs are Nanakuri, Arima, Tamatsukuri
and......"
The etymological root of Bessho is Betsudokoro, which was the
area being located close to the house of the Shioda Hojo family
and used by the Hojo family as their resort in the Kamakura Perid
(12th-13th century). Later the name was changed to Bessho. In those
days, Betsudokoro (Bessho) was very flourishing and mentioned in
the writings of the period: "With three "rakuji" temple,
four monk residences and 60 inns, the area is most prosperous," and
was "Kamakura of the shinshu," a center of education
and religion. One can still see signs of that once-flourishing
period in cultural properties. The place attracted many prominent
writers and poets, including Yasunari Kawabata, Hakushu Kitahara,
Masao Kume, Takeo Arishima and Teru Takakura. In Bessho there are
open air hot spring baths, such as Ishi-yu (stone bath), Oh-yu
(big bath) and Daishi-yu (monk's bath). All have a long history
and are the subject of anecdotes. As the water makes the skin smooth,
they are also known as "beauty bath."
The spring water is sulfureous and said to be good for curing
stomach illness, rheumatism, gout and skin rashes. |
KITAMUKI
KANNON TEMPLE
(north-facing hall of the Goddess of Mercy)
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This
is a sacred place founded in the Heian
Period (8th-9th century) by Jikaku, the
chief priest of Enryakuji Temple, Hieizan. It
is a rare construction in Japan with the
hall facing north. It is said that if people
visit Zenkoji Temple, which faces south,
to pray for their future and happiness
after death, and do not pray for divine
favor for the present by visiting the north-facing
hall of the Goddess of Mercy, their devotions
will be unbalanced.
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OCTAGONAL
THREE-TIERED PAGODA OF THE ANRAKUJI
TEMPLE
(NATIONAL TREASURE)
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This
is the only octagonal pagoda still existing
in Japan, and was constructed in the Kamakura
Period. At first glance it appears to be
a four-tier pagoda. However, the roof at
the lowest part is a lean-to construction,
and a kind of tent roof.
The style of architecture is a pure Zen temple style, but it is
quite rare to find a pagoda at Zen temple. The seated figures of
the monk Shokoku Isen and the monk Yogyu Enin of "Denpodo " (foundation
hall) of Anrakuji Temple are designated as important cultural properties
of Japan.
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JORAKUJI
TEMPLE AND STONE PAGODA
(important national cultural assets)
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Jorakuji
Temple is one of the three "rakuji" temples
in Bessho, which consist of Anrakuji Temple,
Jorakuji Temple and Chorakuji Temple (Chorakuji
Temple no longer exists), and is one of
the direct branches of the Hieizan Enryakuji
Temple, It is said that this temple was
also founded by the monk Jikaku. At one
time this temple was crowded with students
who wished to study Buddhism, including
the famous monk Mukan Fumon, and used to
be the training hall of the Tendai sect
of Buddhism.
The stone pagoda was constructed in the Kamakura Period and is
one of the largest in Japan. Of stone pagodas, only two have been
designated as important cultural properties, and the Jorakuji Temple
pagoda is one of these.
In addition, a collection of old roof tiles, important works of
fine art and Ema(votive tablets)are exhibited in the art museum
of the Jorakuji Temple.
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