| Sōken-ji | |
|---|---|
摠見寺 | |
 Three-story Pagoda (ICP) | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Buddhism |
| Deity | Jūichimen Kannon |
| Rite | Myōshin-ji branch ofRinzai Zen |
| Status | active |
| Location | |
| Location | 6367 Shimo-Toyoura, Azuchi-machi, Ōmihachiman-shi Shiga-ken |
| Country | Japan |
  Shown within Shiga Prefecture Show map of Shiga Prefecture Sōken-ji (Japan) Show map of Japan | |
| Geographic coordinates | 35°9′15.20″N136°8′22″E / 35.1542222°N 136.13944°E /35.1542222; 136.13944 |
| Architecture | |
| Founder | Oda Nobunaga |
| Completed | 1573-1591 |
Sōken-ji (摠見寺) is aBuddhist temple located in theAzuchi neighborhood of the city ofŌmihachiman inShiga Prefecture, Japan. Itsmountain name is Enkei-zan (遠景山). The temple belongs to theMyōshin-ji branch of theRinzai school ofJapanese Zen.
Sōken-ji was erected within the grounds ofAzuchi Castle byOda Nobunaga in theTenshō era (1573-1591). The head priest was the third son ofOda Nobuyasu, lord of Iwakura Castle inOwari province, who was from a cadet branch of the clan. Rather than build new structures, Oda Nobunaga relocated existing structures from other temples and shrines which caught his eye. Specific surviving examples include theNiōmon gate, which was originally from Kashiwagi Jinja inKōka and theThree-story Pagoda which was originally at Chōju-ji, also in Kōka. Both structures are now designated NationalImportant Cultural Properties[1][2]
The temple survived the destruction of Azuchi Castle after theassassination of Nobunaga in 1582. During theEdo period, it had estates with akokudaka of 227koku, which provided it with sufficient income to grow to over 22 buildings, even without regular parishioners. It was also supported by the surviving branches of the Oda clan, especially thedaimyō ofKaigara Domain inTanba Province (30,000koku), who used the temple as theirbodaiji from 1695. Memorial services were held at the temple on the 100th, 150th, 200th and 250th anniversaries of Oda Nobunaga's death, and the successive head priests of Sōken-ji were always descendants of the Oda clan. On 16 November 1854, most of the temple, including theMain Hall were destroyed in an accidental fire. A "temporary" Main Hall was built on the site ofTokugawa Ieyasu's residence at Azuchi Castle. This building still remains in use. After theMeiji Restoration, the temple was deprived of its estates, and fell into gradual decline.[citation needed]
The temple is a 25-minute walk fromAzuchi Station on theJR WestBiwako Line.
Media related toSōken-ji at Wikimedia Commons
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