Nara vs Heian in Tohoku

Motsu-ji Temple is, or is on, a vestige of Heian-style mansion. Even in Kyoto at that time, only a few high-class royal or noble families could live in such a huge mansion. The main building of the temple stands south to a big pond. The north side of the pond gently inclines upward to make a hill toward Mt. Kinkei, a symbol mountain of Hiraizumi. The ancient Heian-style mansion, something like Heian-jingu Shrine in Kyoto today, used to be on the north edge of the pond. Fujiwara Motohira (?-1157?) is said to have built the mansion. Why a Heian-style mansion? The Tohoku District used to be governed officially from Taga Castle, with Nara-style grand government office buildings. The Fujiwara Clan, who was actually ruling the area, might have needed something newer and grander.