Nanshū-ji Temple

Overview

Nanshū-ji Temple is located in Nanrinji-chō, Kagoshima City, Kagoshima Prefecture, and belongs to the Shōkoku-ji branch of Rinzai Buddhism. It was established in October 1876 by Ogino Dokuon, head priest of Shōkoku-ji, as a temporary missionary outpost of the head temple.

Highlights

• ●Belongs to the Shōkoku-ji branch of Rinzai Buddhism
• ●Founded in 1876 as a temporary missionary outpost of Shōkoku-ji
• ●Relocated in 1879 to part of the former Nanrinji site and re-established as the Kagoshima branch temple of Shōkoku-ji
• ●Renamed in 1907 with Saigō Takamori venerated as its symbolic founder

History

In October 1876, Ogino Dokuon, then head priest of Shōkoku-ji, established the temple as a temporary missionary outpost of the head temple. In January 1879 it was relocated to part of the site of the former Nanrinji temple on Matsubarayama and re-established as the Kagoshima branch of Shōkoku-ji. In 1907, the temple was renamed Nanshū-ji, honoring the already deceased Saigō Takamori, known as Nanshū-ō, as its venerated founder.

Map

31.5851, 130.5606 · Wikidata

Suggested itinerary

1. 1Head to the temple grounds in Nanrinji-chō
2. 2Trace its history as the Kagoshima branch of Shōkoku-ji
3. 3Visit the main hall, which honors Saigō Takamori as venerated founder
4. 4Learn about the Meiji-era origins behind the temple's name

Did you know?

💡 The temple's name, Nanshū, derives from Nanshū-ō, the honorific name by which Saigō Takamori, its venerated founder, was known.

Nearby spots