- Family temple of the Nagao and Uesugi clans where Kenshin Uesugi studied in his childhood
- Venerated as a family temple by successive rulers of the Joetsu region even after the Uesugi clan moved to the area.
- Access to Rinsenji Temple
- Parking around Rinsenji Temple
- Rinsenji Temple Official Website
- Recommended around Rinsenji Temple
Family temple of the Nagao and Uesugi clans where Kenshin Uesugi studied in his childhood
Rinsenji Temple is a Soto Zen temple located in Nakamonzen, Joetsu City, Niigata Prefecture, at the foot of Kasuga Mountain, where Kasuga Castle, the residence of the Nagao and Uesugi clans in the Warring States Period, once stood.
In 1497, Nagao Yoshikage (grandfather of Uesugi Kenshin), who was the chief retainer of Echigo Province, invited Donei Eiyo (a Soto Zen priest) to build the temple for the 17th memorial service for his father, Shigekage.
Rinsenji” also received protection during the reign of Nagao Nohkei and Tamekage (father of Uesugi Kenshin), and became the family temple of the Nagao family, the guardian of the Nagao clan.
In 1536, Torachiyo Nagao (later Kenshin Uesugi), who was 7 years old, was entrusted to the temple, where he was taught by the 6th abbot, Koiku Tenshitsu, until he reached the age of 14 (he became Kagetora Nagao after he reached the age of 17). Later, in 1561, Kagetora Nagao changed his name to Terutora Uesugi, and Rinsenji became a family temple of the Uesugi clan.
In 1570, Terutora Uesugi was ordained as an apprentice under the 7th abbot, Soken Yakusen, and took the name “Fushokuan Kenshin” after receiving a character from his master.
Venerated as a family temple by successive rulers of the Joetsu region even after the Uesugi clan moved to the area.
When Kenshin Uesugi died suddenly in 1578, the head of the Uesugi family was succeeded by his adopted son, Kagakatsu Uesugi.
When Uesugi Keikatsu was ordered to move to Aizu in 1598 and to Yonezawa in 1601, the Uesugi family’s “Rinsenji” was moved to Yonezawa (there is also a Rinsenji in Yonezawa).
The Rinsenji declined temporarily due to the relocation of the Uesugi clan, but was rebuilt in 1598 under Hori Shuji, who became the lord of Echigo Province.
Under the shogunate system, Rinsenji Temple became a domain of the Takata clan, and was revered by successive lords of the Takata clan, such as the Matsudaira and Sakakibara clans.
The temple was also revered by the shoguns, and the second shogun, Tokugawa Hidetada, granted the temple 2,240,000 koku of land.
Access to Rinsenji Temple
1-1-1 Nakamonzen, Joetsu-shi, Niigata 943-0801
Parking around Rinsenji Temple
Rinsenji Temple Official Website
Official site：http://www.valley.ne.jp/~rinsenji/