Erinji Temple-Takeda Shingen’s family temple | Yamanashi

Founded by Nikaido Sadato, who became the guardian of Kai Province in the Kamakura period (1185-1333)

Erinji Temple is a temple of the Myoshinji school of the Rinzai sect, located in Shioyama Koshiki, Koshu City, Yamanashi Prefecture.

It is said that the temple was founded in the Kamakura period (1185-1333) by Zen monk Soseki Muso, who received a donation of his domain, Makisho (manor house in Kai Province), from Sadato Nikaido, a governor of Kai Province in 1330.
Although the temple now belongs to the Myoshinji School of the Rinzai sect, it was founded as a temple of the Engakuji School of the Rinzai sect at the time of its foundation.

In the Muromachi period (1336-1573), the third Muromachi shogun, Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, granted it the status of a temple equivalent to one of the ten temples of the Kamakura Zen temple system.
Jissetsu” is one of the temple ranks based on the Gozan system (temple ranks in the Rinzai sect of Zen Buddhism). The higher ranks are Gozan, Jusetsu, Shozan, and Ringe.
The Onin War that began in 1467 devastated “Keirin-ji Temple.

Rebuilt by Shingen Takeda, family temple of the Kai Takeda clan

Although Keirinji Temple was devastated by the Onin War, it was rebuilt in 1541 by Takeda Shingen (named Harunobu at that time), who became the head of the temple at the age of 20, and invited Minsaku Keishun, a high priest of the Myoshinji School of the Rinzai sect, to become its chief priest.
In 1564, when Shaoki Kaikawa was appointed as the chief priest, the temple was strengthened and became the family temple of Shingen Takeda and the Kai Takeda clan.

Meanwhile, Kaigawa Shaoki also served as a political advisor to the Takeda family and was involved in diplomatic relations between the Takeda family and the Mino Saito clan.
Kaigawa Shaoki also served as an officiating monk at the annual death anniversary of Takeda Shingen’s mother, Mrs. Oi, and at Shingen’s own funeral.

However, in 1582, nine years after Takeda Shingen’s death, the Takeda family was destroyed by Oda Nobunaga.
At that time, Keirinji Temple was burned to the ground, and Shaoki Kaikawa, along with more than 100 priests, was burned to the ground.

After the Honnoji Incident and the Tensho Imjin War, Tokugawa Ieyasu rebuilds “Erinji Temple

After the fall of the Takeda clan, “Erin-ji Temple” was burned down by Oda Nobunaga, but immediately after the “Honnoji Incident” in 1582, the Tokugawa, Uesugi, and Hojo fought over the former Takeda territory (Kai, Shinano, and Ueno) (Tensho Mibugo-no-ran).
As a result, Tokugawa Ieyasu took possession of Kai Province, and on this occasion, he rebuilt “Keirinji Temple” which had been burned down.

Thereafter, Tokugawa Ieyasu put his efforts into rebuilding “Eirinji Temple” and ruled Kai Province by valuing the old vassals of the Takeda family.
Tokugawa Ieyasu, who is said to have been in awe of the Takeda family, especially Shingen Takeda, allowed his fifth son to succeed to the Takeda family name (Takeda Nobuyoshi after his retirement).
In 1672, during the Edo period, the 100th anniversary of the death of Takeda Shingen was held at Keirinji Temple, led by the descendants of Takeda’s surviving relatives.
In 1705, during the reign of Tsunayoshi Tokugawa, the fifth shogun, Yoshiyasu Yanagisawa, lord of the Kofu domain, held the 133rd memorial service for Shingen Takeda.

Places to visit in Eirinji Temple

“Sanmon”main temple gate

This “Sanmon” is designated as an important cultural property of Yamanashi Prefecture.
It is said that the gate was once burned down by Oda Nobunaga and set on fire by Kaigawa Shaoki, and the reconstructed gate bears a poem by Kaigawa Shaoki.

Kaisando

Inside the hall are statues of Soseki Muso, Shaoki Kaigawa, and Zuikatsu Suesshu, who were instrumental in the founding and revitalization of Keirinji Temple.
Other buildings include the Myouden Hall, where Fudo Myoo, a replica of Takeda Shingen, is enshrined, the Main Hall, where the main deity Shakyamuni Buddha is enshrined, and the Grave of Takeda Shingen (open only on the 12th of each month), where the graves of Takeda Shingen and his family vassals are enshrined.

Access to Erinji Temple

2280 Koyashiki, Shioyama, Koshu City, Yamanashi 404-0053

Parking around Erinji Temple

Erinji Temple Official Website

Official site：https://erinji.jp/

Recommended around Erinji Temple