Kougakuji Temple

Located in Kamiozou, Enzan, Koshu City, Yamanashi Prefecture, this temple is the head temple of the Rinzai sect of Buddhism, Mukogakuji school. It is called Enzan, and more specifically, Genchuzenji. It was founded in 1380 (Tenju 6, Koryaku 2) by Takeda Nobunari, who established the temple with Butai Tokusho as its founder, and called it Mukogaku-an. In 1385 (Genchu ​​2, Shitoku 2), it became a place of imperial prayer for Emperor Gokameyama. It is said that over 1,000 monks from all over the country gathered at Mukogakuji, admiring Butai, who inherited the teachings of the Houtou school. In 1547 (Tenbun 16), under the imperial decree of Emperor Gonara, the temple was renamed Mukogaku-ji Temple and became a training center for those who wish to advance in their careers. Takeda Harunobu (Shingen) also attempted to revive the temple, and it is said that at its peak there were 41 temples and 700 branch temples. After the fall of the Takeda clan, the temple was protected by the Tokugawa family, but in a great fire in 1786 (Tenmei 6), the temple buildings were lost and only the inner gate remained. The current halls were rebuilt after that, and the temple has a specialized training center within the temple. Temple treasures include a colored silk painting of Bodhidharma (National Treasure) and a portrait of Bodhidharma.

[Akira Suganuma]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

山梨県甲州市塩山(えんざん)上於曽(かみおぞ)にある臨済(りんざい)宗向嶽寺派の大本山。塩山と号し、詳しくは向嶽元中禅寺(げんちゅうぜんじ)という。1380年（天授6・康暦2）武田信成(のぶなり)が抜隊得勝(ばっすいとくしょう)を開山として建立、向嶽庵(あん)と称したのに始まる。1385年（元中2・至徳2）後亀山(ごかめやま)天皇の勅願所となる。法燈(ほうとう)派の法を嗣(つ)いだ抜隊を慕って全国から1000余人の雲水が向嶽寺に集まったといわれる。1547年（天文16）後奈良(ごなら)天皇の詔(みことのり)を賜り、向嶽寺と改められ、出世道場とされた。武田晴信（信玄）も中興を図り、最盛時には41院、末寺700か寺があったと伝えられる。武田氏の滅亡後は徳川家の保護を受けたが、1786年（天明6）の大火で伽藍(がらん)を失い、中門だけが残った。現在の諸堂はその後の再建で、寺内に専門道場をもつ。絹本著色達磨図(だるまず)（国宝）、頂像(ちんぞう)などの寺宝がある。

［菅沼　晃］

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