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About Senkoji Temple
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For first-time visitors
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Things that Senkoji Temple values
The temple offers a sense of security because it's an open place where local people gather.
At Senkoji Temple, we cherish the time to quietly find peace of mind amidst the changing seasons. We hope that visitors can find respite and enjoy a peaceful time amidst the seasonal scenery, including hydrangeas. A place you'll want to drop by on a whim. A place where you can offer your prayers with peace of mind. Senkoji Temple will continue to be a temple open to people.
Precinct
In early summer, approximately 10,000 hydrangea bushes adorn the temple grounds, allowing visitors to slowly appreciate the changing seasons as they stroll along the stone steps and paths. Nestled in the tranquil atmosphere of the mountains, it is a beloved place not only for prayer but also for finding peace of mind and a peaceful retreat.
In the tranquil temple grounds surrounded by trees, you can escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and enjoy a peaceful time. It's a place to offer prayers and reflect on loved ones amidst the changing seasons. Senkoji Temple cherishes a space that gently resonates with the hearts of its visitors.
The temple grounds, steeped in history over many years, possess a tranquility unique to a temple that has grown in harmony with nature. Amidst the ever-changing scenery of each season, it has become a beloved place where many people can offer prayers and find peace of mind. During hydrangea season, the entire temple grounds are enveloped in a gentle tapestry of colors.
A Brief Chronology of Ryūgozan Senkōji Temple
1180 (Jishō 4th year)
Eisai, seeking a place from which a thousand lights could be emitted, arrived at Yanagisaka Mountain in Chikugo Province, where he carved statues of Yakushi, Amida, and Shakyamuni Buddha, placed them in three locations on the mountain, and established Senkoin Temple (Tendai sect) on Jiginzan (Yanagisaka Mountain). Later, the lord of the area was Kawano Nagahira, who became Uena and managed the mountain forest estate. (Temple records).
1192 (Kenkyu 3)
During the reign of Emperor Go-Toba, under the patronage of Eisai and Kusano Hyohei, seven main temple buildings and seven sub-temples were constructed. Zen rules were first established, the temple's name was changed to Shirogane-zan Senkoji, and it received a donation of 12 cho (a unit of land area) (Temple Records).
1193 (Kenkyu 4)
On April 7th, Eisai visited Mount Kora. He entrusted the Kora deity to a young boy, requesting that Eisai perform the Prajnaparamita Sutra recitation and dance on the auspicious day of the lunar calendar each month. That night, the monks of Kora also received a divine message in a dream, and donated 2 cho 2 tan of their sacred land to Senkoji Temple to be used as offering land for the recitation (Temple Records).
1195 (Kenkyu 6)
Eisai founded Shofuku-ji Temple in Hakata.
1198 (Kenkyu 9)
Eisai wrote "Kōzen Gokoku Ron" (Treatise on Promoting Zen and Protecting the Nation).
1215 (Kenpo 3)
Eisai dies (age 75).
1353 (Shōhei 8th year / Bunwa 2nd year)
Prince Kaneyoshi was stationed at Mount Kōra. Around this time, Kusano Nagayuki switched allegiance from the shogunate to the imperial side and fought against the Tandai Isshiki army.
1359
Shōhei 14th year (Enbun 4th year)
The Imperial forces of Higo-Chikugo advanced to Kōrayama and Yanagisaka. They set up camp in Minō, crossed the Chikugo River, and fought a decisive battle against the Ōtomo and Koshiki shogunate forces at Ōhara. (According to the "Taniyama Castle Origin Record," on August 8th, Prince Kaneyoshi was seriously wounded in the Battle of Ōhara and died at Tōyama Castle near Senkōji Temple, and was buried at Senkōji Temple.)
1377 (Tenju 3rd year):
A temple bell bearing the Northern Court inscription "Eiwa" is donated to Senkoji Temple.
1383 (Kowa 3rd year / Eitoku 3rd year):
Prince Kaneyoshi dies (there are various theories about the place of his death, including Yatsushiro in Higo, Hoshino in Chikugo, and Nakatsu in Buzen). (One theory suggests there was a place of incineration on the hillside behind Senkoji Temple).
1420 (Oei 27)
Emperor Go-Komatsu bestowed the imperial plaque "Ryūgozan" upon the temple, changing its mountain name to ward off repeated fires and to enshrine the spirit of Prince Kaneyoshi (according to temple records).
Around this time (date unknown):
The third generation, Kiun, rebuilt Daienji Temple in Ikuba District and established it as a Soto Zen temple. During the time of the fourth generation, Teian, Enshoji Temple in Mii District was converted to the Soto Zen sect. Subsequently, numerous branch temples were established.
1587 (Tensho 15)
During Toyotomi Hideyoshi's conquest of Kyushu, he encamped at Yoshimi-goku. He ordered Masuda Nagamori and Nagatsuka Masaie to erect a sign prohibiting violence and unruly conduct in front of the Senkoji Temple gate (Temple Records).
Kobayakawa Hidekane (Mori Hidekane) entered Kurume Castle, built a guest hall, refectory, and Buddha hall at Senkoji Temple, enshrined his father Motonari's memorial tablet there, and donated six cho of land to the temple (Temple Records).
1588 (Tensho 16)
Kusano Iekiyo was lured and killed in Nankan, Higo Province, by Hachisuka Iemasa, who was acting on Hideyoshi's orders (the Kusano family was destroyed).
1619 (Genna 5)
Tadamasa, deeply devoted to the temple's eighth head priest, Tadatora, rebuilt the guest hall, study hall, and main gate, and donated forest land. (According to one theory, he converted to the Soto sect at this time.)
1620 (Genna 6)
Tadamasa died of illness in Edo. His senior retainers erected a memorial tower within the grounds of Senkoji Temple.
1621 (Genna 7)
Matsukura Bungo-no-kami, the magistrate of Chikugo Province, received orders from the shogunate to confirm the temple's land holdings of 100 koku (51 koku due to Tanaka Taka, Tadashi, and Genba Taka).
1621 (Genna 7)
Toyouji Arima enters the region and is granted a territory of 210,000 koku in eight districts of Chikugo Province. The Senkoji Temple territory is confirmed as it was held by his predecessor.
1629 (Kanei 6)
Senkōji Temple became the head temple of Chikugo Province under the Sōtō Zen sect's system of one temple per province (Temple History).
1693 (Genroku 6)
Mitani Gengen (the domain's official painter) copied the Nirvana painting, which was then enshrined at Senkoji Temple the following year.
1700 (Yuanhe 13th year)
The main gate was repaired.
1703 (Genroku 16)
The main gate was damaged and repaired with tile roofing.
1710 (Hōei 7)
The dining hall, large kitchen, storehouse, stables, and latrine were rebuilt.
1718 (Kyoho 3)
The guest hall was rebuilt. (During the time of the 15th head priest, Getsudo, the temple's parishioners were reorganized.)
1720 (Kyoho 5)
A study and tea room were built.
1745 (Enkyo 2)
The memorial tower for Prince Kaneyoshi was moved from Daienji Temple in Hoshino Village to Senkoji Temple (Kukihara Ran Kikuchi Family Documents).
1764 (Hōreki 14)
The monument to the temple's founder, Senkō Kokushi (with an inscription selected by Genkō Ōchō of Kanrozan, Hizen Province), was erected.
1767 (An'ei 4)
Arima Kawachi's mother, Renshin-in, donated a Buddhist monk's robe (Rensi).
1786 (Tenmei 6)
The head village chiefs of Yamamoto County, Yanagisaka County, Nakaizumi County, and the temple's chief patron donated a temple bell. (Author: Masanao Ueki, 4th generation)
1935 (Showa 10)
Toshimichi Mochiji becomes the 31st chief priest.
1975 (Showa 50)
Toshikatsu Mochiji becomes the 32nd chief priest.
1989 (Heisei 1)
Mie Kishi donated a statue of Manjushri Bodhisattva to commemorate her husband (haiku name: Akikeishi).