“Wasn’t this temple built for Sanada Yukimura?” a voice whispers beside you. We are standing before Shinganji Temple. This temple is more than just a religious site. It is a memorial to a legendary samurai.
Shinganji Temple’s story began in the late Azuchi-Momoyama period. Toyotomi Hideyoshi ordered its construction during the Bunroku era. However, the temple was destroyed after the Winter Siege of Osaka. It was rebuilt in 1622. The Sanada clan’s ancestor helped with the reconstruction.
Shinganji Temple stands on the former site of Sanada Maru. Sanada Maru was a fort built by Sanada Yukimura. He built it to defend Osaka Castle during the winter campaign. Thus, the rebuilt temple became a memorial to Sanada Yukimura and his son Daisuke. They were both brave warriors.
Sanada Yukimura is also known as Sanadazaemonsa Toyotomi Nobushige. He was a famous general. He built Sanada Maru southeast of Osaka Castle. It was on the Kamimachi Plateau. This fort helped strengthen Toyotomi’s defenses.
But Shinganji Temple has another layer to its story. In 1867 Ryoma Sakamoto and Shintaro Nakaoka were murdered. The murder occurred at the Omiya restaurant in Kyoto. Members of the Kyoto Mimawari group were involved. Hayanosuke Katsura and Yoshitaro Watanabe were among them.
These Mimawarigumi members also fought in the Battle of Toba-Fushimi. They died in the battle. They were buried at Shinganji Temple. Their graves are still here today.
You can visit Shinganji Temple between 8 AM and 5 PM. It is a short walk from Tamatsukuri Station. The temple is located at 2-22 Esashicho Tennoji-ku Osaka.
So, as you stand here remember the layers of history. Think of Sanada Yukimura’s bravery. Consider the tragic fate of the Mimawarigumi members. Shinganji Temple is a place of remembrance. It connects us to Osaka’s past.