Did you know there is a temple called “Chorenji Temple” south of the Bikan Historical Area?
Chorenji Temple rarely appears in tourist guides.
However, it is a very important place for Kurashiki, where a magistrate’s office was located during the Edo period, when the city was a territory directly controlled by the Edo shogunate.
That is because it was the family temple of the Kurashiki magistrates (a temple where their graves are located).
Kurashiki City is also famous as a place where Ryokan, known as a great Buddhist monk, trained.
Chorenji Temple is also a temple with deep ties to Ryokan.
Here, we introduce Chorenji Temple, a hidden sightseeing spot.
History buffs and Ryokan fans should pay it a visit.
The information presented here was current when this article was published in January 2020. Please note that it may differ from current information.
Chorenji Temple, a Soto Zen temple associated with the Kurashiki magistrates and Ryokan
Chorenji Temple is located at the northwestern foot of a mountain called Mukoyama, south of the Bikan Historical Area.
It is located about 120 meters south of Kurashiki Ivy Square.
Chorenji Temple belongs to the Soto Zen school of Buddhism, and its mountain name is “Gotaizan.”
Chorenji Temple was the family temple of magistrates dispatched by the Edo shogunate to the Kurashiki magistrate’s office.
The graves of the Kurashiki magistrates are still here.
Moreover, because it was the family temple of the Kurashiki magistrates, a memorial tablet for Tokugawa Ieyasu is enshrined here (not open to the public).
Entsu-ji Temple, in the Tamashima area in western Kurashiki City, is where Ryokan, known as a great Buddhist monk, trained.
Chorenji Temple was a branch temple of Entsu-ji Temple.
The temple was also served by Dainin Kokusen, Ryokan’s teacher, as its head priest, and was revived by Dainin Kokusen.
For this reason, Ryokan is said to have visited Chorenji Temple as well.
Dainin Kokusen’s grave is still on the temple grounds, making it another highlight.
Please note that the area around the temple grounds is a cemetery for local residents.
Please be considerate and do not enter the cemetery unless you are visiting the graves of the magistrates or Dainin Kokusen.
Highlights of Chorenji Temple
Here are some of the highlights of Chorenji Temple.
Use this as a reference when visiting the temple.
Sanmon Gate
The “Sanmon Gate” stands at the entrance to the temple grounds.
It is a Sanmon Gate built in the Yakuimon style.
Main Hall
After passing through the Sanmon Gate, the “Main Hall” of Chorenji Temple comes into view.
Its thatched roof makes a striking impression.
It gave me a sense of the temple’s long history.
There is a large cherry tree in front of the Main Hall.
It was winter when I visited, but I would like to return when the cherry blossoms bloom in spring.
The Main Hall also has a certain resemblance to the atmosphere of Entsu-ji Temple, where Ryokan trained (in the Tamashima area of Kurashiki City).
Kannon Hall
To the left (north) as you head from the Sanmon Gate toward the Main Hall is the “Kannon Hall.”
Grave of Dainin Kokusen, Ryokan’s teacher
▼The cemetery enclosed by a wall to the left (west) of Kannon Hall is where successive head priests are buried.
▼The grave second from the right at the back of the cemetery is Dainin Kokusen’s grave.
▼Dainin Kokusen was Ryokan’s teacher and the driving force behind the revival of Chorenji Temple.
When visiting Chorenji Temple, be sure to pay your respects at the grave of Priest Dainin Kokusen as well.
Graves of the Kurashiki magistrates
▼There is a cemetery behind the kuri (the head priest’s residence) to the right (south) as you head from the Sanmon Gate toward the Main Hall.
▼The gravestones lined up closest to the kuri in this cemetery are the graves of the Kurashiki magistrates.
▼The graves of six successive magistrates who died in Kurashiki are lined up here.
The many gravestones lined up behind the magistrates’ graves in the photo above belong to officials who worked at the Kurashiki magistrate’s office.
View from the temple grounds
Chorenji Temple is situated on elevated ground.
As a result, it offers a very good view.
You can also see Kurashiki Ivy Square and other sights.
Chorenji Temple’s Goshuin
Visitors who pray at Chorenji Temple can receive a goshuin.
To request a goshuin, ring the intercom at the priests’ quarters to the right (south) of the main hall.
▼Here is Chorenji Temple’s goshuin.
When receiving a goshuin at Chorenji Temple, you need to pay a nokyo-ryo (sutra-copying fee).
Chorenji Temple does not set a fixed amount for the fee.
Goshuin cannot be provided when the head priest is away or a Buddhist service is being held.
What is Chorenji Temple’s principal image, and what blessings does it offer?
You may be wondering which Buddha is enshrined at Chorenji Temple and what blessings it offers.
The Buddha enshrined at Chorenji Temple (its principal image) is Shaka Nyorai.
Shaka is Buddha (Gautama Siddhartha), the founder of Buddhism.
He appears in history textbooks and is widely known as “Shakyamuni.”
Nyorai means “one who has attained enlightenment” and is the highest rank among Buddhas.
Shaka Nyorai does not offer any specific blessings.
Guiding people to enlightenment (saving all sentient beings) can be considered Shaka Nyorai’s blessing.
History of Chorenji Temple
Founded in present-day Yakage Town during the Sengoku period, then fell into decline
Chorenji Temple was not originally built at its present location.
Its first site was next to Toshoji Temple in present-day Yakage Town.
It is said to have been built during the Tensho era (1573–1591) of the Sengoku period by Mori Motokiyo, lord of Sarukake Castle, which stood on the border between present-day Yakage Town and Mabi, Kurashiki City, to serve as his family temple.
However, it was caught up in warfare during the Bunroku era (1592–1595) and burned down.
Moved to Kurashiki and rebuilt in the mid-Edo period
The revival of Chorenji Temple was prompted by a proposal in 1760, the 10th year of the Horeki era, by Kurashiki Magistrate Asai Sakuemon, during the mid-Edo period.
He asked Entsu-ji Temple, which is still located in Tamashima, Kurashiki City, to move Chorenji Temple to its present location in Kurashiki as a branch temple.
In 1762, Chorenji Temple was rebuilt, with Taikaku Seppo as its founding priest and Daisen as its second head priest.
However, work on the temple grounds did not progress, and Daisen passed away.
Afterward, Daishin Kokusen, the tenth head priest of Entsu-ji Temple, was entrusted with the task, and improvements to the temple grounds were completed in 1785, the fifth year of the Tenmei era.
For this reason, Daishin Kokusen is regarded as the “restorer of Chorenji Temple.”
Daishin Kokusen was also Ryokan’s teacher.
It is said that Ryokan therefore visited Chorenji Temple frequently.
This is why Chorenji Temple is said to have ties to Ryokan.
Became the family temple of the Kurashiki magistrates
From its revival in the mid-Edo period until the end of the Edo period, Chorenji Temple served as the family temple of the Kurashiki magistrates.
The graves of Kurashiki magistrates can still be found on the temple grounds.
Magistrates were much like people who are transferred for work today.
Therefore, the graves at Chorenji Temple are those of magistrates who died in Kurashiki.
The graves at Chorenji Temple belong to the following six magistrates:
- Hanaki Denjiro Masahito
- Mannen Shichiroemon Yoriyuki
- Okusa Tarozaemon Masanobu
- Okusa Tarouma Masasato
- Furuhashi Shinzaemon Tadayoshi
- Tanaka Shojiro
There are also graves of officials who worked at the magistrate’s office.
From the Writer
Even when visiting the area around the Bikan Historical Area, you may not venture very far south of it.
But just a short walk from the Bikan Historical Area brings you to Chorenji Temple, a quiet, hidden attraction.
Chorenji Temple is an essential part of Kurashiki’s history, so why not pay it a visit?
Chorenji Temple Information
| Name | Chorenji Temple |
|---|---|
| Other name | Godaisan |
| Buddhist sect | Soto Zen |
| Location | 1666 Funakura-cho, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 086-422-4198 |
| Parking | Available |
| Principal image | Shaka Nyorai |
| Blessing | Saving all sentient beings |
| Goshuin (sutra-copying fee) | Available (no fixed fee) *Unavailable when the head priest is away or during Buddhist services |
| Visiting hours | Daytime only |
| Closed | None |
| Admission | Free |
| How to pay admission and sutra-copying fees |
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