Shojoji Temple

Located in Yokogoshi-cho, Sabae City, Fukui Prefecture, this is the head temple of the Yamamoto school of Shinshu Buddhism. It is called Yamamoto-san Gonen-in and also Yokogoshi Honzan. The principal image is Amida Nyorai. It is one of the four main temples of the Shinshu Echizen region. Shinran, the founder of the Jodo Shinshu sect, established the temple in Yamamoto-sho, Echizen (Fukui Prefecture), and was succeeded by Zenran and Jonyo. In 1304 (Kagen 2), the temple was given the name of Genzan-dera at the request of Emperor Gonijo. In 1475 (Bunmei 7), during the reign of the 8th head priest, Dosho, it was moved to its current location. However, another theory is that it was founded in 1385 (Shitoku 2) by Dosei, who formed the Yokogoshi followers, and later moved to its current location in 1475. From the end of the Muromachi period through to the Edo period, the followers of the Yamamoto sect frequently split up, and the temple also fell into decline. During the Edo period, it once belonged to the Tendai sect's Shogoin temple, but reverted to Shinshu in the Meiji period, and became an independent temple in 1878 (Meiji 11). The principal image of the temple, a statue of Amida Nyorai, is said to have been created by Eshin Sozu.

[Akiko Sobue]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

福井県鯖江(さばえ)市横越(よこごし)町にある真宗山元(やまもと)派の本山。山元山護念院と称し、横越本山ともいう。本尊は阿弥陀如来(あみだにょらい)。真宗越前(えちぜん)四本山の一つ。浄土真宗の開祖親鸞(しんらん)が越前（福井県）山元庄(しょう)に一宇を建立し、善鸞(ぜんらん)、浄如(じょうにょ)が後を継ぎ、1304年（嘉元2）後二条(ごにじょう)天皇の勅願を得て現山寺号を称したという。1475年（文明7）8世道性(どうしょう)の代に現在地に移転した。しかし一説には、横越門徒を形成した道性が1385年（至徳2）に開創し、その後の1475年に現在地に移転したとも伝える。室町末期から江戸時代にかけて山元派門徒はたびたび分裂し、当寺も衰退した。江戸時代には一時天台宗の聖護院(しょうごいん)に属したが、明治になってから真宗に戻り、1878年（明治11）に一山独立した。本尊の阿弥陀如来像は恵心僧都(えしんそうず)作と伝える。

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