The Origins of Jounji Temple and Priest Gyokunen
The origins of Jounji Temple date back to the Tenbun era (1532–1554) of Japan’s Warring States period. The temple is said to have begun when its founding priest, Gyokunen, established a small hermitage in Ushiroya, Hirosawa Village, in what is now Hirosawa 1-chome, Kiryu.
In 1558, a temple called Aiminji was established in Shinjuku Village on the opposite bank of the Watarase River. This temple later became the predecessor of Jounji.
Gyokunen was regarded as a distinguished Buddhist priest of his time. In 1579, he was summoned by Oda Nobunaga and took part in a formal religious debate at Jogon-in Temple in Azuchi. According to tradition, Gyokunen won the debate and was personally presented with a folding fan by Nobunaga.
A record of this debate, known as the “Azuchi Shuron Records,” has been preserved at Jounji Temple. It is designated as an Important Tangible Cultural Property of Kiryu City.
The Temple’s Name and Its Move to Kiryu Shinmachi
Monkyu, the second head priest of Aiminji, later changed the temple’s name to Jounji.
During the Azuchi-Momoyama period, the temple was moved to Shinjuku Village. Later, during the Keicho era, plans were developed for the organized construction of Kiryu Shinmachi.
The town was planned with Tenjin Shrine to the north and Jounji Temple to the south. In 1605, Jounji was moved to its present site in Honcho 6-chome, where it served as an important southern landmark and spiritual center of the newly developed town.
This history shows that Jounji was more than simply a place of worship. It was closely connected with the formation of Kiryu Shinmachi and became an important part of the community’s social and cultural landscape.
Temple Buildings Developed During the Edo Period
During the Edo period (1603–1868), the temple complex was gradually expanded and improved. A number of buildings were constructed during the early Edo period, strengthening Jounji’s role as a center of local Buddhist worship.
In 1624, the third head priest, Kakudon, attended a memorial service for Tokugawa Hidetada, the second shogun of the Tokugawa shogunate, at Zojoji Temple in Edo, present-day Tokyo. The donations he received on that occasion were used to construct the temple’s main hall.
In 1646, a bell tower was built, further developing the temple complex.
Around 1650, the fifth head priest, Getsugu, attended a memorial service for Tokugawa Iemitsu, the third shogun. Donations received during the service contributed to the construction of the central part of the temple’s priest’s quarters.
These connections with major Buddhist ceremonies of the Tokugawa period indicate the important position Jounji held within the religious world of its time.
The Present Main Hall and Its Architectural Features
The present main hall was rebuilt in 1753 and is designated as a Tangible Cultural Property of Kiryu City.
The building is a substantial structure with a hipped roof covered with traditional interlocking roof tiles. It measures nine bays across the front and seven bays in depth, making it an impressive example of traditional temple architecture.
The front entrance features a karahafu, or decorative cusped gable roof, above the covered entrance porch. Inside, the hall follows a traditional hojo-style layout with a wide veranda surrounding the main interior space.
The interior consists largely of spacious tatami-mat rooms, with Buddhist statues enshrined in the inner sanctuary.
Evidence of Local Support
Inscriptions written in ink and carved into parts of the building during past repairs and renovations record the names of numerous residents, particularly from Honcho 4-chome through 6-chome.
These records provide evidence that the temple was supported by donations from local residents and offer valuable clues about the history and development of Kiryu Shinmachi.
Cultural Treasures Preserved at the Temple
Jounji Temple preserves a wide variety of historic documents, artworks, and cultural treasures. Among the most important are the main hall and the Azuchi Shuron Records, both designated as Tangible Cultural Properties of Kiryu City.
The temple is also home to a large votive painting known as “Shoshu Raigo-zu,” depicting the descent of Buddhist figures to welcome a believer to the Pure Land. It is designated as an Important Tangible Cultural Property of Gunma Prefecture and is considered one of the largest such ema paintings in northern Kanto.
Other notable artworks include “Autumn Grasses” by Hoitsu Sakai, a leading painter of the Rinpa school during the Edo period, and “Peacock” by Bunchō Tani, a prominent painter of the Nanga tradition.
A 500-Year-Old Kaya Tree
The temple grounds are also home to a magnificent kaya tree, or Japanese nutmeg tree, believed to be approximately 500 years old.
The ancient tree adds a strong sense of continuity to the grounds, allowing visitors to imagine the many generations of worshippers who have passed through the temple over the centuries.
Education and Social Welfare in the Local Community
Jounji Temple has contributed to the community not only through religious activities but also through education and social welfare.
In 1873, the Kiryu School was established using Jounji Temple as a temporary school building. It later developed into what is now Kiryu Municipal Kita Elementary School.
In 1914, the temple’s head priest, Shuzen Noguchi, established the Jutoku Sewing School for Girls. The following year, he also established Meisho Nursery School, reportedly the first nursery school of its kind in Gunma Prefecture.
These activities demonstrate how Jounji served as not only a place of religious practice but also a center for education, childcare, and community development.
Annual Events and Religious Traditions
Various Buddhist ceremonies are held at Jounji throughout the year. On the first day of each month, a morning Nenbutsu gathering is held, during which participants recite the name of Amida Buddha. On the 18th of each month, the temple’s Kannon Hall is opened to the public.
The Kannon Hall also hosts activities such as personal consultations and sutra-copying experiences, making it a familiar place of spiritual and cultural activity for local residents.
Juyakai in October
One of the temple’s notable annual observances is the Juyakai, held in October. This traditional Jodo Buddhist ceremony includes large Buddhist prayer-bead rituals and the offering of thousands of lights, creating a solemn and atmospheric event.
The temple also continues to preserve other historic Buddhist traditions, including the Gojuso Denshokai, a special transmission ceremony held once every ten years.
A Historic Temple to Visit in Kiryu
Jounji Temple is conveniently located approximately a 10-minute walk from Kiryu Station, making it an easy stop during a walking tour of central Kiryu.
The temple grounds contain Edo-period architecture, historic artworks, cultural documents, and ancient trees. The quiet atmosphere provides a pleasant contrast to the busy streets and offers visitors an opportunity to experience the deeper history of the city.
Kiryu is famous for its long textile tradition, but the development of the city was also supported by temples, shrines, local communities, and generations of religious and cultural activities.
Jounji Temple is one of the places where this history can still be experienced today. Its buildings and cultural treasures tell the story of Kiryu’s past, while its continuing religious activities demonstrate how the temple remains connected to the local community.
When exploring Kiryu, consider including Jounji Temple in your itinerary. A quiet walk through its historic grounds offers an opportunity to discover a different side of the city and experience the religious traditions and cultural heritage that have been passed down through generations.