鑑真の井戸
寺院の北西の角には、鑑真の井戸があります。今日でもここから水を引くことができます。これは寺院の豊富な水資源を反映しています。
実際、唐招提寺の敷地全体は一年中湿っていて、いくつかの池と、井戸によって供給される水路が特徴です。一方、お寺の敷地は秋篠川とその水路に囲まれ、北東の隅にある鑑真の墓は、小さな堀に囲まれた「島」にあり、日陰の苔むした小道と石橋でつながっています。この豊富な水は、唐招提寺が緑豊かな植物に恵まれていることを意味し、年間を通して寺院の境内に咲く多種多様な花を中心にしています。
伝承によれば、天武天皇（631～686年）の孫でそこに住居を構えた新田部親王が鑑真に提供した寺院用の敷地を、鑑真が最初に訪れた際にすぐに水の存在に気づきました。失明のために土地を見ることができなかった鑑真は、土を味わったと言われ、すぐに幸運、幸福、繁栄をもたらす場所であると感じたそうです。
彼はその後、敷地の中に井戸の建設を命じました。井戸近辺の松林は、鑑真の住居の場所でした。
Ganjin’s Well
In the northwest corner of the temple complex is a well that is thought to have been excavated under Ganjin’s supervision. Even today water can be drawn here, a reflection of the temple’s abundant water reserves.
The entire grounds of Toshodaiji is moist year-round, with several ponds and a channel running alongside the Ordination Platform that is fed by the well’s overflow. In addition, the temple premises are enclosed by the Akishino River and its sluiceways; and Ganjin’s grave in the northeastern corner is located on a small “island” encircled by a modest moat, which is accessed via a shady, moss-lined path and a small stone bridge. This abundance of water means that Toshodaiji is blessed with lush vegetation, and a wide variety of flowers bloom within the temple precincts throughout the year.
According to legend, Ganjin instantly recognized these favorable conditions when he first came to survey the prospective temple grounds offered to him by Niitabe Shinno, a grandson of Emperor Tenmu (631–686), who had a residence there. Ganjin, who could not see the land due to his blindness, is said to have taken a taste of the earth, and immediately deemed it to be a place that would bring good fortune, happiness, and prosperity to those who dwelt there. He subsequently ordered the digging of a well in the grounds, which he felt was well situated according to the rules of traditional Chinese divination. The pine grove near the well was the location of Ganjin’s residence.
