「大慈寺 」鹿児島 / “Daiji-ji temple” Kagoshima-pref

「大慈寺 」鹿児島県志布志市

鹿児島県志布志市は、この大慈寺が開山された南北朝から室町時代にかけて日明貿易の拠点として大いに栄えていました。この大慈寺も日明貿易に関わっており１５世紀中頃には全国屈指の禅宗寺院として「臨済宗十刹」に数えられるほどの隆盛を極め、続く江戸時代も島津氏の庇護を受け大いに栄えましたが、明治の廃仏毀釈により廃寺となりました。しかし明治１２年には早くも別の場所で復興しました。宝物の散逸は免れましたが、本来の境内は現在の境内のすぐ東隣の志布志市役所志布志支所の敷地であり、伽藍や庭園は完全に失われています。さて、現在の大慈寺庭園はどちらかと言えば近年ご住職が手作りされた庭園ですが、境内には３つの個性的な枯山水庭があり見学する価値は十分にあります。最も大きな庭は本堂に上がって右手の庫裏に面した枯山水庭です。私が拝観した日は、砂庭の上に枝を伸ばしたハナズオウの鮮やかな紫と、石灯籠の下の低い場所で咲いた赤いツツジがバランスよく調和していました。椅子やテーブルも用意されているのでゆっくり鑑賞できます。砂紋に猫の足跡がついていたりして親しみを感じる自然体の庭です。

また本堂の前の石段を降りた下の平地に、低くなだらかな築山に七五三に石を配した枯山水があります。その裏にウサギとカメそしてカッパなどの置物がある枯山水があり、とても通俗的ですが可愛い庭園です。

また、境内階段下の中央に立つ大木には多くのタニワタリが着床し南国鹿児島ならではの景観となっています。

春には緋寒桜やソメイヨシノが境内に彩りを添えます。門の左右に立つ石彫の金剛力士像は廃仏毀釈の破壊を免れた貴重なものです、ぜひご覧下さい。

志布志麓の武家屋敷庭園群とあわせて巡ることをお勧めします。

◼︎名称：「大慈寺 」

◼︎住所：鹿児島県志布志市志布志町志布志２丁目１−１９

◼︎TEL: 099-472-1179

◼︎営業時間：AM 9:00～PM 5:00

◼︎駐車場：無し

◼︎アクセス：JR志布志駅より徒歩 10分

"Daiji Temple" Shibushi City, Kagoshima Prefecture

Shibushi City, Kagoshima Prefecture flourished as a base for trade between Japan and Ming China from the time Daiji Temple was founded during the Northern and Southern Dynasties to the Muromachi period. Daiji Temple was also involved in trade between Japan and Ming China, and in the mid-15th century it flourished as one of the leading Zen temples in the country and was counted among the "Ten Rinzai Temples." It also flourished during the Edo period under the patronage of the Shimazu clan, but was abandoned due to the anti-Buddhist movement in the Meiji period. However, Daiji Temple was quickly restored in 1879. The treasures were spared from being scattered, but the original grounds were the site of the Shibushi City Hall Shibushi Branch Office, located just east of the current grounds, and the temple buildings and gardens have been completely lost.

The current Daiji Temple garden was hand-made by the chief priest in recent years. However, there are three unique dry landscape gardens on the grounds that are well worth visiting.

The largest garden is the dry landscape garden facing the kitchen to the right of the main hall. On the day I visited, the vivid purple of the Chinese redbuds stretching their branches over the sand garden and the red azaleas blooming in a low spot under the stone lantern were in perfect harmony. Chairs and tables are also provided so you can take your time to appreciate the garden. The sand patterns are marked by cat paw prints, making it a natural garden that feels familiar.

In addition, on the flat ground below the stone steps in front of the main hall, there is a dry landscape garden with stones arranged in the Shichigosan style on a low, gently sloping artificial hill. Behind it is a dry landscape garden with rabbits, turtles, kappa and other ornaments, which is very common but cute.

In addition, many taniwatari plants have taken root on the large tree standing in the center of the temple grounds below the stairs, creating a landscape unique to the tropical Kagoshima region.

In spring, the red winter cherry blossoms and Somei Yoshino cherry blossoms add color to the temple grounds. The stone carved Kongorikishi statues standing on the left and right of the gate are precious items that escaped destruction during the Haibutsu Kishaku era, so please come and see them.

◼︎Name: "Daiji Temple"

◼︎Address: 2-1-19 Shibushi, Shibushi-cho, Shibushi-shi, Kagoshima Prefecture

◼︎TEL: 099-472-1179

◼︎Business hours: 9:00AM - 5:00PM

◼︎Parking: None

◼︎Access: 10 minutes walk from JR Shibushi Station