Chuson-ji was built to be the foundation of a land of peace. After decades of warfare ravaged the kingdoms of northern Japan, the Oshu Fujiwara clan, led by Fujiwara no Kiyohira, emerged in the late 11th century as the region’s only surviving major power. Kiyohira set about founding a new dynasty, beginning with the establishment of Hiraizumi, and pledged himself to pacifying the spirits of the war dead and pursuing peace by spreading the teachings of Buddhism. To that end, Kiyohira sponsored great expansions of Hiraizumi’s temples, including Chuson-ji.

The Golden Hall, or konjikido, is the jewel of Chuson-ji’s crown. Dedicated 1124, this shrine is covered head to toe in gold leaf and lavishly embellished, representing the peak of craftsmanship of the classical period. It also serves as a clear reminder of the region’s history of mineral wealth and gold production, and by some historical accounts, may have been an inspiration for Marco Polo’s writings of “the golden land of Zipang”.

Chuson-ji’s museum, the Sankozo, also houses works of art and historical artifacts from the temple’s history, and can be found neighboring the Golden Hall.

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