Shōgan-ji, Buddhist temple in Konosu, Japan
Shōgan-ji is a Buddhist temple in Konosu featuring traditional Japanese architectural designs, with a main hall rebuilt in 1891 and an Edo period gate inscribed with 'Sendanrin'. The complex houses several cultural properties that visitors can view by making prior arrangements.
The temple was founded in 1252 during the Kamakura period and gained patronage from Tokugawa Ieyasu in 1592, earning it a place among eighteen Danna-rin Buddhist seminaries. This connection to the Tokugawa family shaped its role for centuries to come.
The temple hosts an annual Juya ceremony each November 14th that brings together Buddhist rituals, a children's procession, and the ceremonial burning of traditional dolls. This event reflects how local spiritual practices remain woven into the community's calendar and daily life.
The temple sits roughly 10 minutes on foot from JR Konosu Station and provides parking on the grounds. It is best to give advance notice if you wish to view the buildings and cultural properties during your visit.
The grounds contain burial sites of important figures such as the Ina family, who served as regional administrators, and members of the Makino warrior clan. These connections reveal how central the temple was to local power structures and networks.
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