“Is that blood?” That’s a question you might ask inside Zuiun-in.
Welcome to Zuiun-in. It is a temple of the Nichiren sect. Zuiun-in belongs to Honko-ji Temple. Honko-ji is a head temple. Zuiun-in is a former sub-temple of Honko-ji.
This temple is also known as Hyakushaku-dera. That means “100 Stone Temple”. The name comes from the temple’s stipend. The stipend was 100 koku of rice.
As you look around Zuiun-in, you will find the tomb of Hidetoshi Kobayakawa. He lived from 1582 to 1602. Hidetoshi Kobayakawa’s Buddhist name is Josho-in. He was moved and buried here by Nichikyo.
Inside the main hall is an image of Hidetoshi. The hall also has a blood-stained ceiling. This ceiling is made from floorboards. These floorboards are from Fushimi Castle. They were used in a battle.
Let me tell you a story about the Ancient Well. A priest named Niccho was passing by. It was near Daikyo Hachijo. He heard someone chanting. The chanting was coming from a well. He looked inside. There was an image at the bottom. Niccho enshrined the image. The image is said to have been believed in by Shogun Yoshiteru Ashikaga. The well is now called “Ancient Well Inari”.
Tokugawa Ieyasu gave Zuiun-in a temple stipend. It was to honor Hidetoshi. For this reason, it is also called Hyakushaku-dera. Hidetoshi’s aunt, Nichishu, also helped. She moved Hidetoshi’s old residence to the temple. She donated 100 koku of rice. This was to help Hidetoshi’s memorial service.
Zuiun-in is a place of history. It is a place of memory. Take a moment to reflect. Remember the stories of those who came before.