TEMPLE KANZEON-JI (SITE HISTORIQUE NATIONAL)

The name of this temple appears in The Tale of Genji, a famous work of Japanese literature written by Murasaki Shikibu, a court lady of the Heian period. Kanzeon-ji was built in memory of Empress Saimei by her son, Emperor Tenji. It became the most important Buddhist temple in Kyushu, exerting great influence on all other temples in the region. A bronze Bonsho bell, the oldest in Japan, can be seen here.