“What is the origin of Midosuji street?” That is a question I get asked a lot on this tour. Today I will tell you about Tsumura Betsuin. It is also known as Kita Mido. It is one of the temples that gave Midosuji its name.
Tsumura Betsuin is a temple of the Honganji sect of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism. A Buddhist temple was built in Osaka by the disciples in 1591. It was made to protect the nenbutsu lamp. In 1597, it moved to its current location. The area was previously called Tsumura-go. It then became known as Kitamido.
Together with Minamimido, it is loved by the people of Osaka. Sadly the original temple was completely burned down in the Osaka Air Raid in 1945. It was rebuilt in 1964 as a modern grand hall. It stands to this day.
The road connecting Kita Mido and Minami Mido came to be called Midosuji. It was named in honor of these two Mido halls. Tsumura Betsuin played a significant role in Osaka’s history. It influenced the naming of one of its most famous streets.
The priest Rennyo built a monk’s lodge near Osaka Castle in 1496. This site grew into a big temple called Ishiyama Honganji. Later Oda Nobunaga attacked the temple. Osaka was a point of strategic importance. The priest Kennyo surrendered to Nobunaga in 1580. He was deported from Osaka. Hideyoshi later gave him precincts and he built a temple. But he was moved to Kyoto and died.
After Kennyo’s death, Hideyoshi designated two successors. The Honganji temple was then divided into Higashi and Nishi Honganji. These two sects established bases in Osaka. They made efforts to control each sect.
Kyonyo of Higashi Honganji constructed Namba Betsuin in 1697. It served as their base in Osaka. His younger brother Jyunnyo settled at Tsumura Betsuin from 1697. Both buildings were magnificent and used for official places. This was around the period of the Meiji Restoration. Both were burned down in the war.
Kita Mido is located at 4-1-3 Hommachi in Chuo-ku Osaka. It is near Hommachi Station on the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line. You can visit Tsumura Betsuin between 7:00 and 16:30. It is free to view. So feel free to come back another day.
Tsumura Betsuin stands as a testament to Osaka’s resilience. It also represents its deep spiritual roots. Remember the story of Tsumura Betsuin as you walk along Midosuji. Think about how one temple can influence the identity of a city.