“Where the heck are we?” I hear a tourist ask. Today, we explore Hongan-ji Nagoya Betsuin. This Jodo Shinshu Buddhist temple is in Nagoya.
Hongan-ji Nagoya Betsuin is also known as Nishi Betsuin. This translates to “Western branch temple”. It links to Nishi Hongan-ji in Kyoto. The other temple of the same name is called Higashi Betsuin. That translates to “Eastern branch temple”.
Hongan-ji Nagoya Betsuin’s history goes back to 1500 CE. Renjun, son of chief abbot Rennyo, built Gansho-ji. It was built in the cedar groves of Ise province. Later, the temple moved to its current spot during Nagoya Castle’s construction.
Baisho-in, a concubine of Tokugawa Tsunanari, supported it.
Hokusai visited the temple in 1817. He and his disciples painted the Great Daruma. It was painted on a large sheet of paper. He received the name “Darusen” for this work. The original was lost in 1945.
A reproduction was made in 2017 to commemorate the 200-year anniversary.
In 1874, a medical training centre was set up near the temple. It was a predecessor to Nagoya University’s School of Medicine.
The temple’s wooden buildings were destroyed during the bombing of Nagoya in 1945. It was rebuilt in an ancient Indian style.
The wooden bell tower survived the war. Baisho-in donated it in 1729. The bell hangs on the lower level. The sculptures are high quality. It became a City-designated Cultural Property in 2017.
On the grounds, a bronze statue honors Shinran. He was the founder of Jodo Shinshu.
Hongan-ji Betsuin houses ashes of deceased persons. They are kept in urns in metal lockers. Monks perform prayer services for a fee.
Consider visiting Tsukiji Hongan-ji in Tokyo. It shares architectural similarities with Hongan-ji Nagoya Betsuin. As you leave Hongan-ji Nagoya Betsuin, remember its resilience. It has been rebuilt and stands as a cultural landmark.