Located on a hill on the Chikugo riverside, just to the rear of JR Kurume Station, is Bairin-ji, a majestic-looking temple belonging to the Myoshinji school of Rinzai Zen Buddhism. This historical temple is known for being Kyushu’s representative ascetic dojo, and was the family temple of the Arima clan, who once held domain over Kurume. The temple was founded when Kurume's first feudal lord, Toyoji Arima, had it moved from its former location at Zuigan-ji in Tanba-Fukuchiyama, along with the remains of his father, renaming the temple after his father’s posthumous Buddhist name, Bairin-in. The karamon-style gate to the inner temple with its relief-work gives the front of temple a dignified appearance, while the graves and mausoleums of the Arima ancestors (starting with the founder, Toyoji) nestled in a peaceful little pine forest to the back of the temple, are a sight to behold. The temple is home to more than 600 artifacts, including a Shaka Sanzon hanging scroll (designated as an important cultural property), as well as a painting of Mt. Fuji by Korin Ogata, folding screens by Tohaku Hasegawa, and fusuma (Japanese sliding door) paintings in the Kano style. Fitting for a temple whose kanji (梅林) means ‘plum blossom forest’, the Gaien (外苑), an adjoining outer garden of Bairin-ji, is filled with a variety of plum blossoms, all competing for the attention of the locals who come here to relax. The Plum Blossom Garden (Gaien) While Bairin-ji (梅林) means ‘plum blossoms’, the temple is not named so because of the plum blossoms here. In fact, the temple was given its name by Toyoji Arima. Toyoji received this land after his efforts in the battle of Sekigahara, and moved the family temple here from Zuigan-ji in Tanba-Fukuchiyama. He renamed the temple, ‘Bairin', after his father’s posthumous Buddhist name. Drawing monks from all over the country, Bairin-ji is considered a strict training ground for those who seek to follow the ways of Buddha. However, in 1958, to commemorate the 350th anniversary of the death of the prestigious Chief Priest, Umon Genkyu Zenji, a portion of the temple along the Chikugo river was finally opened to visitors, becoming a public park. The temple is said to have recieved donations from many people, including the founder of Bridgestone Co., Shojiro Ishibashi, and the plum blossoms seen in the gardens today are said to have been gifted from private homes in the city. 2008 marked the temple's 400th anniversary, and the 50th anniversary of the outer gardens, drawing tons of visitors to the area. Under the Shade of the Trees at Bairin-ji Temple In the front garden of the temple’s Kaisando (Founder’s Hall), is an old Bodhi tree. It is difficult to say exactly how old the tree might be, but from the roots upward, the trunk seems to be split in to several branches, giving the inside of the tree a hollow appearance, and creating the impression that the tree is only supported by its skin. The tree is so small that it almost looks like an old plum tree. It is said that 2,500 years ago, Buddha meditated under the shade of such a tree, and reached a state of enlightenment. In the sweltering Indian heat, the shade of the tree must have brought Buddha some comfort. Last summer was as hot as any Indian summer. For Japanese monks walking the streets to carry out ‘takahatsu' (a traditional form of seeking alms), even with the use of bamboo kasa hats, conditions are still tough. Even a short break in the shade is very much welcome. While road infrastructure has improved, making travel by car convenient, this has led to an unfortunate decrease in the number of large trees that line the roads. Tree shade relieves both the environment and the human soul from burdens, bringing about peace. 有馬家霊屋(ありまけたまや)５棟 ・有馬家霊屋 ・春林院霊屋 ・春林院位牌廟 ・長壽院位牌廟 ・瓊林院位牌廟 The 5 Mausoleums of the Arima Family The Arima Family Mausoleum The Shunrin-in Tamaya Mausoleum The Shunrin-in Ihaibyo (Mausoleum with ihai mortuary tablets) The Choju-in Ihaibyou (Choju-in Mausoleum housing ihai mortuary tablets) The Keirin-in Ihaibyo (Keirin-in Mausoleums housing ihai mortuary tablets)