Kanno-ji (Kagoshima)

• Founded: 1194, Eisai
• Japanese: 鎮国山感応寺 (Chingoku zan Kannou ji)

Chingoku-zan Kannô-ji is a Rinzai Zen temple in Izumi City, Kagoshima prefecture. One of the oldest Zen temples in the country, it was founded by Eisai in 1194, at the request of Honda Sadachika, a retainer of Shimazu Tadahisa. Graves for the first five heads of the Shimazu clan can be found on the grounds, as they can at Honryû-ji in Kagoshima as well.

The temple fell into decline for a time in the 13th century, but was revived by Shimazu Tadamune (1251-1325). After that, it received considerable patronage from the Shimazu Sôshû and Sasshû branch families, and from the local Honda family.

Kannô-ji was closed in the anti-Buddhist policies of the early Meiji period, but was later re-opened and remains active today.

References

• "Kannô-ji," Shimazu-ke ga hagukunda bunka, Shôkoshûseikan official website.