宝物館
宝物館には、毛越寺に伝わる宝物が展示されています。宝物館の入り口には、毛越寺や中尊寺の開祖である円仁(794–864)の座像があります。
宝物館には、古文書や遺物、毛越寺の発掘にまつわる情報、毛越寺で奉納される長寿を祈る舞「延年の舞」で伝統的に使われていた衣装や装飾などが収蔵されています。所蔵されている平安時代 (794–1185)の仏像のうちいくつかは、日本の国指定文化財です。
ほかにも、観自在王院跡で発見された14世紀の「鉄鋳宝篋印塔（鉄塔）」や、さらに、平泉を統治した藤原三代秀衡（1122–1187年）の邸宅にあったのではないかとされる2つの「鉄樹」 など、貴重な品々が展示されています。この鉄樹は、日本刀の成立を語るうえで欠かせない鍛治集団、舞草鍛治(もくさかじ)によるものとされます。
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.
