Kanjizai-o-in ruins

The ruins of Kanjizai-o-in temple stand in Hiraizumi town in southwest Iwate prefecture. The site is now a historical park.
The former temple is said to be founded by the wife of Fujiwara-no-Motohira, who was the second ruler of the powerful Northern Fujiwara clan from the 12th century.  The walls inside the Amida Hall once depicted holy sites of Japan’s ancient capital of Kyoto. The temple was popular with locals, partly because of the paintings. Back then, Kyoto was a far, dream destination for Hiraizumi residents.
In early February, the nearby Chuson-ji temple hold its annual bean-throwing festival.  The event draws crowds of visitors from neighboring areas, many of them born under the same sign as the Chinese zodiac of the year. Top ranking sumo wrestlers also take part in the festivities believed to ward off evil spirits.