The weathered stones whisper secrets. They stand before you at Ruriko-ji Temple. This isn’t just any temple. It’s a place where history unfolds layer by layer.
Ruriko-ji Temple in Yamaguchi City is more than a place of worship. It’s a living testament to centuries of Japanese history. The main attraction is its breathtaking five-story pagoda. A national treasure. This stunning structure was not always here.
Originally the site housed Koshakuji Temple. Ouchi Moriakira ordered the pagoda’s construction. It was a memorial to his brother Ouchi Yoshihiro. Yoshihiro died in a battle against the Ashikaga Shogunate. The pagoda’s construction began in 1442. It took eight years to complete. The pagoda predates Ruriko-ji Temple itself. The temple was only established much later in the late 1400s.
Later the victorious Mori clan moved Koshakuji’s main hall to Hiroshima. This hall still exists today. It’s the Hondo of Fudo-in Temple. Another national treasure. In 1604 Koshakuji Temple itself relocated to Hagi City. Ruriko-ji Temple then moved into Koshakuji’s old location in 1690. It then took over the original name.
The Ruriko-ji pagoda is special. It is one of the ten oldest five-story pagodas in Japan. It’s also one of the most prominent structures from the Muromachi period. At 31.2 meters high it’s quite impressive. It uses cypress bark shingles instead of roof tiles. A unique feature is the cornice. It only appears on the second story. The pagoda’s lower floor holds statues of Amida Nyorai and Ouchi Yoshihiro. The temple museum showcases models of this pagoda and 54 others in Japan.
The temple grounds also hold a fascinating teahouse. Chinryutei. This was the location of secret meetings. They involved representatives from the Choshu and Satsuma domains. These meetings helped create the Satcho Alliance. The alliance overthrew the Tokugawa Shogunate. It brought about the Meiji Restoration in 1868.
Nearby lies the Mori clan cemetery. It contains the tombs of the clan’s final leaders. The cemetery is part of a National Historic Site. Tombs of 13th daimyo Mori Takachika and his family are there. Seven tombs in total belong to successive generations.
Ruriko-ji Temple is more than a building. It’s a living story. A story of battles. Of religious devotion. Of political intrigue. It stands proudly a beacon of Japan’s rich and complex past. A must-see on your visit to Yamaguchi.