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Fukiji Temple

The main hall of Fukiji Temple was built in the late Heian period (794–1185) to host a statue of Amida Nyorai, the Buddhist deity who invites believers to paradise. It is a National Treasure and the oldest wooden structure still standing in Kyushu. The temple is guarded by two fearsome-looking nio guardians at the gate and two massive trees—nutmeg on the left, gingko on the right—at the top of the steps. The building itself is built of the wood of the nutmeg tree, as is the Buddhist statue inside, and the sweeping roof design is meant to represent the shape of a phoenix, one of the sacred animals of Buddhism. The interior was originally adorned with vivid colors, with detailed paintings covering much of the walls and columns, and the Amida statue was covered in brilliant gold leaf. Worshippers would circle Amida in a clockwise direction, overseen by the heavenly figures painted high up on the surrounding walls. (Most of them are still faintly visible.) In later years, a more sober and refined aesthetic was introduced to Japanese art and architecture with the influence of Zen and the tea ceremony, and lavishly decorated temples such as Fukiji were left to take on a timeless worn and faded patina.

The Legend of the Nutmeg Tree

Long, long ago, a huge nutmeg tree once grew in this quaint valley of butterbur in Tashibu. The tree was so large, it was said, that its shadow reached all the way to the river in the morning, and all the way to the rice fields in the evening.

One day, the legendary Buddhist monk Ninmon decided to consecrate this spot as sacred ground and ordered the building of a hall to enshrine an image of the Amida Buddha. But when it came time for the woodcutters to cut down the huge nutmeg tree for wood to build the temple, a very odd thing happened. No matter how much they cut, the next day they would return to find the tree in its previous state. Perplexed, the woodcutters didn’t know what to do. Then one day, they were told by a local plant whose view of the sun was blocked by the tree, “At the end of every day, burn the sawdust that comes from your cutting, and the tree will eventually come down.” Thanks to that advice, the woodcutters were finally able to fell the tree and continue construction. Following Ninmon’s orders, a large temple was built and a Buddhist image carved, all from the single nutmeg tree.

This structure is the National Treasure known as Fukiji Temple. Today, many people feel spiritually close to this place, and a large nutmeg tree still grows on the grounds.

富貴寺

富貴寺大堂興建於平安時代（794-1185）後期，目的是供奉可指引信徒至極樂淨土的阿彌陀如來像。本建築被指定為國寶，是九州現存最古老的木造建築。寺院入口的左右兩側各有一尊表情猙獰的仁王像以及兩株巨樹——左為日本榧樹，右為銀杏樹，共同守護著寺院。寺院內部的佛像與建築本身的建材均為榧樹。最初，堂內裝潢本是繽紛多彩，畫作遍布牆壁、梁柱，阿彌陀如來像也包覆在璀璨的金箔裡。參拜者可在周圍牆壁高處極樂淨土畫作的庇佑之下，順時鐘繞行阿彌陀如來像（許多壁畫雖已模糊不清，但仍可辨識）。之後因禪學及茶道的影響，簡單洗鍊的美學開始融入日本的美術及建築。而如富貴寺般富麗堂皇的寺院，則隨歲月的流逝逐漸褪去光彩，以古樸的風貌遺留於世。

榧樹傳説

許久以前，田染饒富古意的款冬之谷中，有一株巨大的日本榧樹。這棵樹高聳入雲，據說早晨的影子長度可到達遙遠的河川，傍晚更可延伸至遠方的水田。

某日，傳說中的佛教僧侶「仁聞」決定在此開闢靈場，下令建造佛堂供奉阿彌陀如來像。樵夫欲砍倒巨大的榧樹作為寺院建材，卻發生了神秘的現象——無論如何砍伐，隔天榧樹又會完好如初，讓苦惱的樵夫束手無策。之後的某日，被榧樹阻擋陽光的當地植物獻言道：「只要在每天結束時燒掉砍樹時產生的木屑，就能成功砍倒。」聽了植物的建議後，樵夫終於採獲榧樹，寺院順利落成。在仁聞的指示下，規模宏大的寺院與佛像建材皆採用同一株榧樹。

該建築便是日本國寶富貴寺。如今仍有許多人鍾愛這片聖地，而巨大的榧樹又再度於此日益茁壯。

富贵寺

富贵寺大堂是平安时代（794-1185）后期，为供奉将信徒引向极乐净土的阿弥陀如来像而造。本建筑被指定为国宝，是九州现存最古老的木造建筑。寺院入口的左右两端各有一尊表情狰狞的仁王像，两株巨树也随侍于侧——左为日本榧树，右为银杏树，共同守护着寺院。寺院内部的佛像与建筑本身的建材均为榧树。最初，堂内装潢本是绚丽缤纷，画作遍布墙壁、梁柱，且阿弥陀如来像也包覆在璀璨的金箔里。参拜者可在周围墙壁高处极乐净土画作的庇佑之下，顺时针绕行阿弥陀如来像（许多壁画已模糊不清，但可勉强辨认）。之后因禅学及茶道的影响，朴素简约的美学开始融入日本的美术及建筑。而如富贵寺般富丽堂皇的寺院，则随岁月的流逝逐渐褪去光彩，以古朴的风貌遗留世间。

榧树传说

多年以前，田染饶富古意的款冬之谷中，生长着一株伟岸的日本榧树。这棵树直冲云霄，据说早晨的影子长度可到达遥远的河川，傍晚更可延伸至远方的水田。

某日，传说中的佛教僧侣“仁闻”决定在此开辟灵场，下令建造佛堂供奉阿弥陀如来像。樵夫欲砍倒巨大的榧树作为寺院建材，但无论如何砍伐，榧树次日又会完好如缺。这一神秘的怪象使樵夫一筹莫展。不久后的某日，被榧树阻挡阳光的当地植物献言道：“只要在每日日落时分焚烧砍树时产生的木屑，就能成功砍倒。”听了植物的建议后，樵夫终于采获榧树，寺院也顺利竣工。在仁闻的指示下，规模宏大的寺院与佛像的建材皆取自同一株榧树。

该建筑便是日本国宝富贵寺。如今，仍有许多人被这片圣地深深吸引，而巨大的榧树也于此继续成长茁壮。