Question: What makes Fukushoji Temple special given its somewhat hidden history? Fukushoji was a Soto Zen temple in Kagoshima. It served as the family temple for the Shimazu clan. Imagine this area bustling with activity centuries ago.
At its peak, Fukushoji was the largest temple in Satsuma domain. Around 1500 monks resided here. This branch temple connected to Shogakuzan Soji-ji in Noto province. It stood as one of Kagoshima’s Three Temples. The others were Jokomyo-ji and Dairyu-ji.
In 1394, Shimazu Motohisa brought Zen priest Sekioku Shinryo to Kagoshima. His goal was to establish a family temple for the Shimazu clan. Fukushoji later oversaw all Buddhist monks in southern Kyushu. It also became a chokuganjo. This meant the Emperor could use it as a prayer hall.
Fukushoji had branch temples across Kyushu, Shikoku and the Chugoku region. A notable event occurred in the 15th century. Francis Xavier met with Buddhist monk Ninshitsu here. They discussed Christian missionary work in Kagoshima.
Throughout the Edo period, Fukushoji remained the chief Shimazu family temple. Each head of the family found their final resting place here. Ryukyuan scholars regularly visited the temple. They also visited the Shimazu temples of Nansen-in and Jokomyo-ji.
In 1869, Fukushoji was abolished. This occurred during the anti-Buddhist haibutsu kishaku campaigns of the early Meiji period. A year later, about 375 Christians sought refuge here. They were fleeing persecution in Nagasaki. They were treated well and most returned to Nagasaki by 1873. Fifty-three Christians who died in Kagoshima were buried in a special cemetery.
Today, the Shimazu clan cemetery remains. It houses the graves of numerous generations of clan heads. Gyokuryu Middle School & High School now occupies the former site of the Fukushoji temple buildings.
Many notable Shimazu family heads are buried here. These include Shimazu Morohisa, Shimazu Ujihisa, and Shimazu Motohisa. You can also find Shimazu Hisatoyo, Shimazu Tadakuni, and Shimazu Tatsuhisa. Other burials include Shimazu Tadamasa, Tadaharu, Tadataka, and Katsuhisa. Shimazu Takahisa and his family rest here as well. The graves of Shimazu Yoshihisa and his wives are also on this site.
Reflect on the layers of history beneath our feet. Fukushoji Temple was once a thriving center of spiritual and political life. Now, it quietly rests beneath a school. The echoes of monks, clan leaders, and even fleeing Christians resonate through time.