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In Iwade City, Wakayama Prefecture, there is Negoro-ji Temple, which is historically known for the Negoro-shu. The main gate, which serves as the entrance to the temple, stands far away from the various buildings on the precincts. It is a double gate, and it is a very valuable structure with only two buildings, the Daimon of Kongobu-ji Temple (Koyasan) and the Daimon of this Negoro-ji Temple. Today, it is surrounded by a square, and although there is a promenade that leads to the precincts of Negoro-ji Temple, it is not a spot where tourists especially gather. However, its solemnity is wonderful, and it reminds us of the size and power of Negoro-ji Temple in the past. The large ginkgo tree that stands beside the main gate is colored and glittering as if countless koban (oval gold coin formerly used in Japan) were scattered. It seems that you can hear the sound of koban rubbing against each other.
和歌山県岩出市に、歴史上「根来衆」で知られる根來寺があります。その玄関にあたる大門が境内の様々な建造物からずっと離れた所に建っています。二重門と呼ばれる造りの門で、金剛峯寺(高野山)の大門と、この根来寺の大門の2棟しかないとても貴重な建造物です。今はその周囲は広場になっていて、根來寺の境内に続く遊歩道はありますが、特に観光客が集まってくるスポットではありません。しかしその荘厳さは素晴らしく、根來寺の往時の大きさと勢いを偲ばせます。その大門の脇に立つ銀杏の大木は、まるで無数の小判を散りばめたかの様に色付いて煌めいています。小判が擦れ合う音も聞こえて来そうです。