Zuiganji Temple

This is a Rinzai sect Myoshinji temple located in Matsushima-cho, Miyagi-gun, Miyagi Prefecture. It is called Seiryu-zan, Enpuku-ji, or Matsushima-dera, but its official name is Seiryu-zan Zuigan Enpuku-zenji. The principal image is the Bodhisattva Kannon. It flourished as the family temple of the Date clan for generations. It is said to have been founded in 838 (Jowa 5) (one theory says 835, but temple tradition says 828) by Jikaku Daishi Ennin of the Tendai sect, and was originally called Enpuku-ji. During the Kamakura period, the regent Hojo Tokiyori restored the temple and renamed it Enpuku-ji, with Shosaihosshin (Hoshi) as its founder, making it a Rinzai sect temple subordinate to Kencho-ji and Engaku-ji in Kamakura. After the Onin period (1467-69), the temple fell into disrepair, but was restored by Date Masamune during the Keicho period (1596-1615) and renamed Zuigan Enpuku Zenji. The second head priest, Tadamune, who inherited Masamune's will, welcomed Ungo Kyo from Myoshin-ji and became the first head priest to restore the temple. After this, the traditions of Zuigan-ji became widely known, and the temple became a large Zen temple attracting Rinzai monks from all over the country. The current main hall (former abbot's chamber), shoin study, entrance hall, and kuri (kitchen quarters) were constructed by Masamune in 1609 (Keicho 14). The main hall in particular is a magnificent and splendid example of Momoyama-style architecture, and is designated as a national treasure along with the kuri and corridors. The Onarimon Gate, Chumon Gate, and Godaido Hall are nationally designated Important Cultural Properties. Within the temple grounds are the Hoshin Cave, where the dharma body is said to have been ensconced, and red and white plum blossoms that Masamune is said to have brought back from Korea.

[Akira Suganuma]

"Exploring Japan's Ancient Temples I: Tohoku and Hokkaido" (1981, Shogakukan)

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

宮城県宮城郡松島町松島字町内にある臨済(りんざい)宗妙心寺派の寺。青龍山(せいりゅうざん)と号し、円福(えんぷく)寺とも松島寺ともよばれるが、正式には青龍山瑞巌円福禅寺(えんぷくぜんじ)という。本尊は聖観世音菩薩(しょうかんぜおんぼさつ)。伊達(だて)家代々の菩提寺(ぼだいじ)として栄えた。838年（承和5）（一説には承和2年＝835、寺伝では天長5年＝828）天台宗の慈覚(じかく)大師円仁(えんにん)の開創と伝えられ、もとは延福寺(えんぷくじ)と称した。鎌倉時代に執権北条時頼(ときより)が堂宇を復興し、性才法身(しょうさいほっしん)（法心）を開山として円福寺と改め、鎌倉建長寺・円覚寺末の臨済宗寺院となった。応仁(おうにん)期（1467～69）以後、堂宇は荒廃したが、慶長(けいちょう)年間（1596～1615）に伊達政宗(まさむね)が復興し、瑞巌円福禅寺と改称。政宗の遺志を継いだ2代忠宗(ただむね)が妙心寺から雲居希膺(うんごきよう)を迎え、中興第1世となってから瑞巌寺の道風は広く知られるようになり、全国から臨済の雲水が集まる禅の大刹(たいさつ)となった。現在の本堂（元方丈）、書院、玄関、庫裏(くり)などは1609年（慶長14）政宗が建造したもの。なかでも本堂は豪壮、華麗な桃山式建築で、庫裏・廊下とともに国宝に指定されている。御成門(おなりもん)、中門、五大堂などは国重要文化財。境内には法身が籠(こも)っていたという法身窟(くつ)、政宗が朝鮮から持ち帰ったという紅梅・白梅などがある。

［菅沼　晃］

『『探訪日本の古寺Ⅰ　東北・北海道』（1981・小学館）』

出典　小学館　日本大百科全書(ニッポニカ)日本大百科全書(ニッポニカ)について　情報 | 凡例