Homotsukan, the Treasure Museum of Motsuji Temple
This museum houses the artifacts and treasures of Motsuji Temple. A seated statue of Ennin (794–864), the legendary founder of the Motsuji and Chusonji Temples, is located near the museum entrance.
The Homotsukan collection includes ancient records, traditional crafts, archeological relics, and information about the excavation of Motsuji Temple, as well as costumes and decorations traditionally used in the annual Ennen no Mai longevity rites at Motsuji. The museum also features rare Buddhist statues from the Heian period (794–1185), some of which are designated Important Cultural Properties of the Japanese nation.
Other featured exhibits include a fourteenth-century iron sutra repository tower discovered at the ruins of Kanjizaioin Temple, and two unusual hammered iron trees experts believe once decorated the home of Fujiwara no Hidehira (1122–1187), the third Fujiwara lord to rule Hiraizumi. Evidence suggests these iron trees were created by the Mokusa Kaji swordsmiths, a guild whose advanced techniques were critical to the origin and development of traditional Japanese swords.