Entsuin Temple

Entsuin Temple is famous for a painting of a Western-style rose that is said to be the oldest in Japan. Entsuin Temple is designated as an important national cultural asset. Entsuin Temple, commonly referred to Rose Temple, is the mausoleum of Date Mitsumune which is located in Matsushima. Mitsumune was the second son of Date Tadamune, the second feudal lord of the Date clan of Sendai. He was accomplished in both the literary and military arts, but died at the young age of nineteen in 1645 in Edo. Because of his talent, he was a threat to the Tokugawa Shogunate. There was a rumour that he was poisoned to death. Lord Tadamune opened Entsuin Temple that year to mourn Mitsumune’s death, and Sankeiden (Mitsumune’s mausoleum) was completed in 1647. Sankeiden was greatly influenced by the Western culture that Hasekura Tsunenaga brought back with him from Europe. Inside the right-hand door of the zushi (miniature shrine) is a painting of a Western-style rose that is said to be the oldest in Japan. The rose is depicted upon gold foil using the three colors of white, red, and green. The long-lasting materials of verdigris (copper rust) and coral ensure that the shrine’s colors will never fade. Entsuin Temple is designated as an important national cultural asset. Access: 5 min walk from JR Matsushima Kaigan Station Open hours: 8:30am – 5pm, 7 days a week Admission: 300 yen | | |