Fantastic Landscape of Eath and Sea: Matsushima’s Greatest Attractions
Posted by World Travel Guides on January 25, 2010 at 3:49 pmThe scenic masterpieces of Matsushima, is as spectacular today as it was in the Edo period. This remarkable site, textured by the sea and abundant greenery, has not only touched the hearts of millions of people, but has also served as a colorful background to history itself.
Matsushima has been boasting of its beauty, since the Heian period, and is designated as a national special scenic beauty and a prefectural natural park. A lot of people who visit this place were moved by its beauty and admired it by drawing pictures or composing poems.
The views from four directions, north, south, east and west entices people with the beauty of a different scene from each perspective. A perfect balance between the contrast of colors created by green pine trees and the figurative beauty produced by small islands floating on the large sea is kept, and its beauty is unchanged from whichever direction.
Island-hoping at Matsushima
You can enjoy the changing scenery of big and small rocks one after another such as Nio island, Kane island, and Katsura island by “Regular cruise around the bay”. You can see branches of pine trees and rock surface in islands close-up by “Demand responsive small sightseeing boat”.
You can enjoy the oyster stew from December to March by “Regular course around the bay from Matsushima to Shiogama”. You can enjoy masculine scenery peculiar to the rias coast, which is in contrast to feminine scenery within the bay by “Cruise around Oku-Matsushima and Saga-kei valley”.
You can choose according to your purpose and time.
Zuigan-ji Temple
It is the greatest Zen temple in Ohshu area established by priest Jikaku Taishi Ennin in the fifth year of Tencho, and is the family temple of the lord of Sendai domain Masamune Date.
Masamune completed the current building in 1609 taking five years in total. In construction, 130 skillful craftsmen were gathered from all over the country, and construction materials were also obtained from Mt. Kumano. These efforts showed his enthusiasm as the winner in Ohshu area.
Especially, the paneled door, the fan light, or gorgeous paintings on the sliding doors and the alcove are regarded as perfection of artificial beauty that represents Japanese natural beauty.
Godai-do
It is said to be established by Tamuramaro Sakanoue in 807.
It is called Godai-do because priest Jikaku enshrined Godai Myohoh (Buddhist statue) afterward. The current building was rebuilt by the lord of Sendai domain Masamune Date who invited the carpenters from Kishu when the Zuigan-ji Temple was rebuilt, and is the oldest Momoyama style construction in existence.
Symbolic landmark of Matsushima (National important cultural properties)
Kanran Tei
It is one building of Fushimi-Momoyama Castle. It was given to Masamune by Hideyoshi, reconstructed in the Edo period, and then Tadamune reconstructed it in this place.
It was used by the successive lords of domain as a place to enjoy the cool of the evening and the moon. The taste of the green powdered tea while enjoying the views of Matsushima makes people feel the passage of time. (Prefectural important cultural properties)
Matsushima moon scenery
Did you see the streak of road that glittered in gold between islands of Matsushima? On day near full moon, there is gold wave that moonlight draws for about two hours after the moon has appeared. It is like a moon road.
When the moon begins to rise in the vicinity of the highest point, the sea puts up silver wave, changes into the silvery white world, and begins to draw the shadow of islands and the pine trees beautifully. We can also experience the elegance of the hazy moon, the increscent and the decrescent which Basho sought.
The major specialties
If you want to taste the plump milk-white body of oysters, we recommend eating them raw.
It is suitable for various other dishes such as oyster rice, oyster stew, tempura and so on. Oyster season is from October to March.
Kouren rice cracker
Kouren rice cracker boasts a 700 year tradition as a famous delicacy of Michinoku.
It originated in the event that Sister Kouren grilled the rice crackers from rice flour that worshippers had offered to Kannon-do Temple, while gazing at the plum blossoms that bloomed near the eaves of her late husband Kotaro’s house. Currently, the 43rd descendant is manufacturing it following the traditional method.
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