英語版のサイトに "Shofukuji and Tochoji Temples in Fukuoka" のページをアップロードしました：
http://handejapan19.html.xdomain.jp/index.html
福岡市の博多地区、祇園駅の東北にお寺が集まっている地域があります。
ここに聖福寺と東長寺があります。聖福寺は、1195年(建久6年)に臨済宗の開祖・栄西禅師を開山とし、東長寺は806年(大同元年)に空海が創建しています。
"Shofukuji and Tochoji Temples in Fukuoka" のページへどうぞ：
http://handejapan19.html.xdomain.jp/TravelDestinations/Kyushu/Fukuoka_Shofukuji_E.html
日本版の福岡の散策記は下記です：
http://shanehsmt.html.xdomain.jp/Travel/Japan/Kyushu/Fukuoka.html
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My English site:
http://handejapan19.html.xdomain.jp/index.html
Shofukuji Temple:
Shofukuji Temple was built in 1195 by YOSAI (1141-1215) , who was the founder of Japan's "Rinzai" Sect. MINAMOTO-no Yoritomo (1147-1199) , who was the first Shogun in the Kamakura Age, donated eighty-one hectares of the land for Shofukuji Temple.
After passing through the "Somon" Gate, you will see the "Sanmon" Gate on your left.
Two-storied "Sanmon" Gate is very dignified.
Behind the "Sanmon" Gate, the "Butsuden" Hall and the "Hatto" Hall are located.
The "Chokushimon" Gate, the "Sanmon" Gate, the "Butsuden" Hall and the "Hatto" Hall are aligned on the center axis of the temple.
The approach continues to a "Kuri, a temple kitchen, in parallel to the center axis of the temple.
At the end of the approach, you will see a "Kuri" behind a small gate.
However, admittance is strictly prohibited beyond the gate.
The "Rinzai" Sect founded by YOSAI is the fist "Zen" sect and Shofukuji Temple was the first "Zen" Temple in Japan. Shofukuji Temple is a training temple for ascetic monks to conduct "Zen" practices to attain enlightenment.
Tochoji Temple:
Tochoji Temple is located to the south from Soufukuji Temple.
Tochoji Temple was originally built by KUKAI (774-835) in 806.
Later, KUKAI became the founder of the Japan's "Shingon" Sect.
The Main Hall, located behind the "Sanmon" Gate, is very huge and gorgeous.
To the left of the Main Hall, the Five-storied Pagoda is located.
The pagoda was newly built in 2011. The red color of the pagoda was very impressive.
If you walk further to the left from the Main Hall, you will see three graves of the feudal lords of the Fukuoka Domain. The grave of KURODA Tadayuki (1628-1654) , the second feudal lord of the Fukuoka Domain, is located.
These graves are very glorious. As the Fukuoka Domain is one of large Domain in the Edo Age, these graves indicate that feudal lords had strong power and high social standing.
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