History of Honrenji Temple
The temple’s origins are traditionally traced to 1338, when the Buddhist priest Daikaku helped convert Ishihara Sado-no-kami, a local powerful figure in Ushimado, to the Lotus Sutra faith. According to tradition, a hall dedicated to the Lotus Sutra was established with the support of Ishihara, whose Buddhist name was Shinkō Songi. This early foundation helped establish the influence of Lotus Sutra Buddhism within the local community.
However, the earliest known appearance of the name “Hōkkedō at Ushimado Port” in the temple’s historical documents dates to 1450. The precise circumstances surrounding the original construction therefore remain uncertain.
Another account records that in 1347, during the Nanboku-chō period, Daikaku, then head priest of Myōkenji Temple in Kyoto, established the main hall, also known as the Hōkkedō. This event is regarded as a significant milestone in the temple’s early development.
Ushimado and the Joseon Tongsinsa
Ushimado prospered as a port where ships waited for favorable winds and tides before continuing their journeys. During the Edo period, it became an important stop for the Joseon Tongsinsa, Korean diplomatic missions sent to Japan. Honrenji Temple played a key role as accommodation for the visiting delegations and as a venue for hospitality provided by the Okayama domain.
The Joseon Tongsinsa traveled to Japan on 12 occasions during the Edo period. Their journeys took them from Tsushima through various regions of Japan to Edo, present-day Tokyo, where they received hospitality from local feudal lords along the way. Ushimado Port was prepared as one of the ports used to receive these missions, and Honrenji served as a place where members of the delegations could stay.
The temple preserves historical materials associated with the missions, including poetry and calligraphy created by visiting envoys. These artifacts provide valuable evidence of the diplomatic and cultural exchanges that connected Japan and Korea.
Historic Architecture and Cultural Properties
Honrenji Temple preserves several important historic buildings that reflect the architectural traditions of medieval Japan. The main hall, reconstructed in 1492 during the Muromachi period, is designated an Important Cultural Property of Japan, together with the temple’s three Bangō-sha shrines and the middle gate.
Main Hall
The main hall is one of the temple’s most significant historic structures. Reconstructed in 1492, it is a valuable example of medieval Japanese Buddhist architecture and remains central to the temple’s religious and cultural identity.
Bangō-sha Shrines
The three Bangō-sha shrines—East, Central, and West—are also designated Important Cultural Properties of Japan. They form part of the temple’s historic architectural ensemble.
Middle Gate
The middle gate is another nationally designated Important Cultural Property. Together with the main hall and the Bangō-sha shrines, it contributes to the preservation of the temple’s historic character.
Three-Story Pagoda
The temple’s three-story pagoda is designated an Important Cultural Property of Okayama Prefecture. Its traditional form makes it one of the notable architectural features of the temple grounds.
Founder’s Hall
The Founder’s Hall is also protected as an Important Cultural Property of Okayama Prefecture, preserving another part of the temple’s religious heritage.
Main Temple Gate
The main gate is designated a cultural property by Setouchi City and serves as the traditional entrance to the temple grounds.
The Garden and Reception Hall
The temple’s reception hall is accompanied by a beautiful garden traditionally attributed to the celebrated landscape designer and tea master Kobori Enshū. Its carefully composed scenery offers a peaceful setting in which to appreciate traditional Japanese garden design.
The reception hall and garden are also associated with the visits of the Joseon Tongsinsa. Viewing the garden is available by reservation, so visitors should make arrangements in advance if they wish to see it.
National Historic Site and UNESCO Recognition
On October 11, 1994, Honrenji Temple was designated a National Historic Site as a site associated with the Joseon Tongsinsa. The designation was shared with Fukuzenji Temple in Tomonoura, Fukuyama City, Hiroshima Prefecture, and Seikenji Temple in Okitsu, Shimizu Ward, Shizuoka City.
In October 2017, the documentary heritage known as “The Memory of the World of the Joseon Tongsinsa” was registered on UNESCO’s Memory of the World International Register. This recognition highlighted the international significance of the historical records and the diplomatic and cultural exchanges they document.
Access
By bus: Take a Ryobi Bus service bound for Ushimado and get off at the Honrenji bus stop. The temple is approximately a one-minute walk from the stop.
With its centuries-old Buddhist architecture, tranquil garden, and close connections to the Joseon Tongsinsa, Honrenji Temple offers a fascinating insight into the history of Ushimado as a port of international exchange. Visitors can explore the temple’s cultural heritage while discovering the lasting connections between Japan and Korea.