Zuiganji Temple is a national treasure situated in Matsushima in Miyagi Prefecture. For over 400 years the temple exhibited traditional Zen architecture and colorful interior decoration. Date Masamune (1567–1636) ordered the construction of the present temple buildings, which was completed in 1609. The Hondo (main hall) is a designated national treasure and the style is said to express the aesthetic sense of Date Masamune. The Hondo is very large—38 meters wide and 24.2 meters deep with traditional Zen architectural style. In contrast, the interior is exquisitely decorated, featuring elaborate engravings, metal ornaments, and colorful paintings. Major repairs to the Hondo and seven other buildings at Zuiganji lasting some ten years were completed in 2018 for preservation and seismic strengthening purposes. The Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami of March 2011 caused widespread damage in Miyagi Prefecture, and Zuiganji was affected. However, the meditation hall of the temple escaped major harm and was used as a shelter for local residents and tourists.
I visited your beautiful Zuiganji Temple many years ago, before the tsunami of 2011. I am English and was visiting Sendai with my husband and his Japanese colleague who are both scientists My husband was collaborating with a Japanese team of scientists at the University. In your Temple l saw magnificent art works, including a very large painting of an old tree – perhaps a fruit tree – I remember it was an almost black and white painting, with not much colour. and the artist’s technique painting took my breath away. I regretted that photography was not allowed in the Temple and I did not see a gift shop selling simple reproductions of art works within the Temple (postcards or books). Is it possible to somehow obtain a small poster of that stunning tree painting from you? Also the date or era of the painting? I am an art historian and I should be so grateful. Thank you very much.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Maia Egerton
Hello Mrs. Maia Egerton I’ve found Zuiganji Temple has a English website: https://www.zuiganji.or.jp/english/ but only has a phone number and fax number. I would suggest translating your request into Japanese. I use DeepL Translate: https://app.deepl.com/en/translator. Good Luck.
Address for Zuiganji Temple: Chonai-91 Matsushima, Miyagi District, Miyagi 981-0213, Japan