Entsū-in (円通院) is a Myōshin-ji Rinzai school Zen temple in Matsushima, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan. It was founded next to Zuigan-ji in honour of the grandson of Date Masamune. His mausoleum of 1647 is decorated with motifs inspired by contact with the West and has been designated an Important Cultural Property. There is also a garden attributed to Kobori Enshū.[1]
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The Main Hall has a thatched hip roof and is known as the Daihitei (大悲亭 lit. Big Sad Cottage). It was dismantled and moved from Edo. Inside is enshrined a Muromachi period statue of Kannon seated on a lotus throne. Made of Japanese cypress using the yoseki-zukuri technique, it is gilded over lacquer.[1][2]
The three-bay Tamaya (霊屋) or mausoleum of Date Mitsumune, grandson of Date Masamune, was built in 1647 and is an Important Cultural Property.[3][4] Inside, the shrine of Date Mitsumune is decorated with motifs including spades, hearts, diamonds, clubs, roses and other western flowers.[5] The Tamaya was damaged by the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami.[6]
The gardens of Entsū-in are divided into four areas: a karesansui garden; a moss garden around a pond shaped like the character for heart (心), attributed to Kobori Enshū; a rose garden inspired by the Date encounter with the Christian west; and a natural stand of cryptomeria. In autumn the temple is celebrated for its momiji.[7][8]
Entsū-in is Temple No.1 on the Sanriku 33 Kannon pilgrimage.[1]
(Japanese) Entsū-in homepage