Jozai-ji (Gifu)
Encyclopedia
is a Buddhist temple of the Nichiren sect in Gifu
, Gifu Prefecture
, Japan
. Its formal name is Shūrinzan Jōzai-ji (鷲林山常在寺). Starting with Saitō Dōsan
, Jōzai-ji served as the family temple for the Saitō family for three generations, which included his son, Saitō Yoshitatsu
, and his grandson, Saitō Tokugen. Also, it has been designated as a nationally Important Cultural Property
, as it contains pictures of both Dōsan and Yoshitatsu.
served as the guardian
of upper Mino Province
on behalf of the Toki clan
. (Myōchin was the son of Saitō Sōen, who had earlier served as the guardian of Mino Province.) Using his power in the area, he built this temple.
Afterwards, as Japan entered into the Sengoku period
, Nagai Shinzaemon used the area around his temple as his base for uniting the region. Dōsan, his son, continued his father's base of operations for a second generation, designating Jōzai-ji the family temple.
Gifu, Gifu
is a city located in the south-central portion of Gifu Prefecture, Japan, and serves as the prefectural capital. The city has played an important role in Japan's history because of its location in the middle of the country. During the Sengoku period, various warlords, including Oda Nobunaga, used...
, Gifu Prefecture
Gifu Prefecture
is a prefecture located in the Chūbu region of central Japan. Its capital is the city of Gifu.Located in the center of Japan, it has long played an important part as the crossroads of Japan, connecting the east to the west through such routes as the Nakasendō...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
. Its formal name is Shūrinzan Jōzai-ji (鷲林山常在寺). Starting with Saitō Dōsan
Saito Dosan
was a daimyo who dramatically rose and also fell from power in Sengoku period Japan. He was also known as the for his ruthless tactics.-Life:Originally a wealthy merchant from Yamashiro Province , he entered the service of Nagai Nagahiro of Mino Province , assuming the name Nishimura Kankurô.He...
, Jōzai-ji served as the family temple for the Saitō family for three generations, which included his son, Saitō Yoshitatsu
Saito Yoshitatsu
was a Japanese daimyo of the Sengoku period. He was the second generation lord of the Saitō clan.-Early life:Yoshiatsu was born in Mino Province in 1527, the eldest son of Saitō Dōsan. Some theorize that Yoshitatsu was in fact the son of Toki Yorinari, the former ruler of Mino...
, and his grandson, Saitō Tokugen. Also, it has been designated as a nationally Important Cultural Property
Important Cultural Properties of Japan
The term is often shortened into just are items officially already classified as Tangible Cultural Properties of Japan by the Japanese Agency for Cultural Affairs and judged to be of particular importance to the Japanese people....
, as it contains pictures of both Dōsan and Yoshitatsu.
History
In 1450, Saitō MyōchinSaito Myochin
was a daimyo and a monk during the Sengoku period in Japan. Myōchin was the son of Saitō Sōen , who served as the guardian of Mino Province, and the younger brother of Saitō Toshinaga. He began his training as a monk from a young age at Zene-ji...
served as the guardian
Shugodai
were officials during feudal Japan.Shugodai were representatives of provincial shugo when the shugo could not exercise his power, being often away from his province. Unlike shugo, who were appointed from the central power, shugodai were locally appointed....
of upper Mino Province
Mino Province
, one of the old provinces of Japan, encompassed part of modern-day Gifu Prefecture. It was sometimes called . Mino Province bordered Echizen, Hida, Ise, Mikawa, Ōmi, Owari, and Shinano Provinces....
on behalf of the Toki clan
Toki clan
The was a powerful clan that ruled in Japan from the Kamakura period to the Edo period. It descended from Emperor Seiwa by Minamoto no Yorimitsu from the Minamoto clan and used Toki in Mino Province as their hometown...
. (Myōchin was the son of Saitō Sōen, who had earlier served as the guardian of Mino Province.) Using his power in the area, he built this temple.
Afterwards, as Japan entered into the Sengoku period
Sengoku period
The or Warring States period in Japanese history was a time of social upheaval, political intrigue, and nearly constant military conflict that lasted roughly from the middle of the 15th century to the beginning of the 17th century. The name "Sengoku" was adopted by Japanese historians in reference...
, Nagai Shinzaemon used the area around his temple as his base for uniting the region. Dōsan, his son, continued his father's base of operations for a second generation, designating Jōzai-ji the family temple.
See also
- For an explanation of terms concerning Japanese Buddhism, Japanese Buddhist art, and Japanese Buddhist temple architecture, see the Glossary of Japanese BuddhismGlossary of Japanese BuddhismThis is the glossary of Japanese Buddhism, including major terms the casual reader might find useful in understanding articles on the subject. Words followed by an asterisk are illustrated by an image in one of the photo galleries...
.