長谷寺の 歴史を刻む 牡丹かな At Hasedera Temple / Botan peonies etch history— / Deeply they bloom

When you mention Hasedera Temple, you think of peonies, and when you mention peonies, it’s said you think of Hasedera Temple. Hasedera Temple is renowned for its peonies, with about 150 varieties and approximately 7,000 bushes blooming around the corridors leading from the Niomon Gate to the main hall. It’s a sight befitting of being called the ‘Temple of Flowers.’ The relationship between Hasedera Temple and peonies extends beyond mere admiration for the flowers; it has a deep historical significance.
According to the temple’s tradition, the origin of Hasedera’s peonies dates back around 1,100 years. In the latter half of the 800s, Empress Ma, the fourth consort of Emperor Xizong of Tang Dynasty, crossed distant seas to pray at Hasedera Temple’s main deity, the Eleven-Headed Kannon, and as a token of gratitude for her prayers being answered, she presented ten treasures along with peonies. This is said to be the origin of the peonies at the temple. Empress Ma, known for her long face resembling that of a horse and her deep and modest nature, was favored by the emperor more than anyone else. However, her appearance troubled her. Seeking advice from a sage named Soshin, she was told, ‘Only the Kannon Bodhisattva of Hasedera Temple in Japan can fulfill your wish. Pray to the Kannon Bodhisattva of the East morning and evening.’ Following this advice faithfully, Empress Ma’s face reportedly became even more divine.
While this is a temple legend, it reflects the long-standing admiration Japan has received, even from China since the time of Emperor Qin Shi Huang long before this incident.

長谷寺といえば牡丹、牡丹といえば長谷寺と言われる牡丹の名所が長谷寺です。長谷寺には仁王門から本堂に通じる登廊周辺に約150種・約7,000株の牡丹が咲き、「花の御寺」に相応しい光景です。長谷寺と牡丹の関係は、単なる牡丹の名所にとどまらない深い歴史があります。
長谷寺の寺伝によると、長谷寺の牡丹の由来は今から1,100年ほど前に遡ります。800年代の後半、唐の第21代皇帝・僖宗(きそう)の第四の后・馬頭夫人(めずぶにん)が遠く海を越えて長谷寺の本尊・十一観世音に願いを込めて祈願し、その願いが叶った御礼に十種の宝物に牡丹を添えて献上したのが牡丹の起源とも言われています。馬頭夫人は顔が長く、鼻が馬に似ていましたが、情が深く、奥ゆかしいことから、誰よりも皇帝から寵愛されていました。ただ気になるのは顔のことです。素神と言う仙人に相談すると、「日本国においでになる長谷寺の観世音菩薩様だけが、貴女の願いを叶えて下さる。朝な夕なに、東の観世音菩薩様にお祈りしなさい。」とのこと。馬頭夫人はこの教えを忠実に実行すると、みるみるお顔がいっそう神々しくなったそうです。
寺伝とは言え、この件のずっと以前の秦の始皇帝の頃からもそうですが、日本は中国からもずっと羨望されていたことが窺われます。