Fukui

Aug 8, 2014 - 1 min read

Yoshizaki Gobo Temple Ruins, Fukui

Priest Rennyo resurrected Honganji Temple atop the hill

By Takako Sakamoto

Community writer

Statue of 'Rennyo', the eighth head priest of Honganji Temple. After Honganji was oppressed and destroyed in 1466 by Enryakuji Temple, Rennyo rebuilt Honganji here in Yoshizaki in 1471

To get to the temple ruins on top of the hill, you have to climb up these stairs. This trail is one of the oldest temple approaches that still exists in Japan (it was made in the 15th century)

When you get closer to the top, you'll see the stone signage of the temple ruins

Stone signage of Yoshizaki Gobo Temple Ruins. It says this place is designated as a national historical site

When you reach the top, you'll see the statue of Rennyo standing in the distance through green leaves

A stream without water surrounds the statue of Rennyo

A statue of some sort (Goddess of Mercy?) was standing in a corner of the stream as though it was hiding behind green leaves

Front view of Rennyo's statue. This was carved by the renowned Japanese sculptor, Takamura Koun in 1934, who also created the statue of Saigo Takamori that stands in Ueno Park, Tokyo

Close-up view of the Rennyo statue

Inside, there is a stone on which Rennyo sat and pondered...has it been kept here for more than 500 years without anyone guarding it?

Here! This is the stone Rennyo sat on...Really?

Rennyo's statue seen through dark trees

Lake Kitagata viewed from the top of the hill

Lone crow perched on a tree branch

Brilliant colors inside the deserted ruins

Yoshizaki Gobo Temple Ruins are located on the northern edge of Fukui prefecture, near the border of Ishikawa. Rennyo, the eighth head priest of Honganji Temple in Kyoto, rebuilt Honganji here in 1471 after it had been oppressed and destroyed by Enryakuji Temple in 1466. He lived here for four years, acquired many followers from the entire area and the temple flourished. In 1506 it was again destroyed by the Asakura Clan (reigning power of the area), and the place had been deserted for 240 long years until another two annexes of Honganji Temple (West and East Annex) were built in 1746 to 1747. Now in the ruins, only the statue of Rennyo, and other monuments related to him stand silently on the vast hilltop overlooking the crystal water of Lake Kitagata.

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Takako Sakamoto

By Takako Sakamoto

Community writer

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