Head Temples

Address: 2026 Enzan-shi, Yamanashi-ken, 404-0042 Japan
Tel: 0553-33-2090; Fax: 0553-33-2183

 

Kogaku-ji was established in 1380 for the Zen master Bassui Tokusho 抜隊得とく勝しょう (1327-1387), with the support of the regional lord, Takeda Nobushige 武田たけだ信成のぶなり. The temple was first named Kogaku-an, “Hermitage Facing the Mountain” (the mountain in question being Mount Fuji), as Bassui preferred not to use the more important-sounding appelation “temple.” Despite the modesty of the name, Kogaku-an under Bassui attracted more than a thousand lay and ordained Zen students. In 1385 Emperor Go-Kameyama 後ご亀山かめやま (r. 1382–1392) designated it a Kigansho 祈願きがん所しょ (a temple to pray for the nation). In 1547, when Bassui received the posthumous title Eko Daien 慧とし光こう大圓だいえん following a petition to the emperor by the great general Takeda Shingen 武田たけだ信玄しんげん (1521–1573), the temple’s rank was elevated and the name changed to Kogaku-ji.

 

A conflagration in 1782 destroyed most of the buildings, but, after Kogaku-ji was named head temple of the Kogaku-ji branch of Rinzai Zen in 1890, large-scale restoration was carried out, and a ceremony marking completion held in 1908. Kogaku-ji presently has eight subtemples within its precincts and fifty associated temples elsewhere.

Its notable sights include the Middle Gate 中門ちゅうもん (Chumon; Prefectural Important Cultural Property), dating from the Muromachi era (1336–1573); the Dharma/Buddha Hall 仏殿ぶつでん兼けん法ほう堂どう(Butsuden ken Hatto), built in 1787; and the temple garden.