Dōmori Zenkō-ji Temple

Overview

Domori Zenko-ji is a temple of the Buzan school of Shingon Buddhism in Yonezawa City, Yamagata Prefecture. Its mountain name is Shoshinzan, and its principal image is a Zenko-ji-style Amida triad, which has earned it the nickname Dewa Zenko-ji. Within its grounds stands a memorial stupa for Maeda Toshimasu, better known as Keiji, the celebrated free-spirited warrior of the Sengoku era, making the temple a favorite destination for history lovers visiting sites tied to Keiji.

Highlights

• ●A temple tied to Keiji, home to the memorial stupa of Maeda Toshimasu
• ●The Dewa Zenko-ji, enshrining a Zenko-ji-style Amida triad
• ●An old temple of the Shingon Buzan school with the mountain name Shoshinzan
• ●A setting that links naturally with historic Yonezawa, the Uesugi castle town

History

Domori Zenko-ji belongs to the Buzan school of Shingon Buddhism and enshrines a Zenko-ji-style Amida triad, a form that follows the tradition of the famous Zenko-ji in Nagano, which is why it has long been affectionately called Dewa Zenko-ji. The temple is closely linked to Maeda Toshimasu (Keiji), who is said to have spent his later years in Yonezawa; a memorial stupa raised in his honor still conveys the presence of this bold warrior.

Map

37.9075, 140.1511 · Wikidata

Suggested itinerary

1. 1Arrive at Zenko-ji in the Domori area of Yonezawa and enter the grounds
2. 2Pay respects before the Zenko-ji-style Amida triad
3. 3Visit the memorial stupa of Maeda Toshimasu (Keiji)
4. 4Head into central Yonezawa to explore sites linked to the Uesugi clan

Did you know?

💡 Because its principal image is a Zenko-ji-style Amida triad, the temple is also called Dewa Zenko-ji. Above all, what has made it famous is the memorial stupa for Maeda Toshimasu (Keiji), the greatest free spirit of the Sengoku era, drawing admirers of Keiji from across the country.

Nearby spots